Abstract
Introduction
A 73-year-old woman presented to the vascular laboratory for evaluation of a right-sided neck mass. This case study details the course of her evaluation and the need for using carotid duplex in a complete work-up. The patient had noted a mass over several months, but it was asymptomatic.
Case Report
The patient had a computed tomography scan at an outside institution, which showed an intensely enhancing lesion within the right carotid bifurcation, measuring 2.9 cm × 2.1 cm. The study was interpreted as a carotid body tumor and was referred for surgical consultation. A carotid duplex exam was ordered for further definition of the lesion. The carotid duplex exam revealed a 2.7-cm × 2.5-cm mass within the carotid bifurcation, which appeared to be a carotid aneurysm. A cerebral angiogram was obtained, which confirmed the diagnosis of carotid aneurysm.
Conclusion
Aneurysms of the extracranial carotid arteries are uncommon arterial lesions. Many different modalities may be used when evaluating a carotid mass, but this case demonstrates the importance of carotid duplex scanning.
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