Background: Pseudoaneurysms of the common carotid artery are rare but potentially life-threatening vascular lesions that can present with nonspecific symptoms. Their clinical presentation may mimic more common conditions such as cervical abscesses, leading to diagnostic delays and inappropriate management. Case Presentation: We report a case of a 45-year-old male presenting with a painful, progressively enlarging neck mass accompanied by dysphagia and low-grade fever. Initial clinical and radiologic evaluations suggested a cervical abscess. However, further imaging with contrast-enhanced CT and Doppler ultrasound revealed a pseudoaneurysm of the right common carotid artery. Surgical intervention was performed, and the diagnosis was confirmed intraoperatively. Conclusion: This case underscores the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for vascular anomalies in atypical neck masses. Prompt use of appropriate imaging modalities is essential for accurate diagnosis and timely intervention to avoid catastrophic complications.
Andrade et al. (Tue,) studied this question.
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