Accidental and potentially life-threatening finding: pulsatile mass of the hypopharynx

Anatomical variations of the cervical part of the internal carotid artery (ICA) are not rare in the general population. They are usually asymptomatic and more common in the elderly. We report the case of a 70-year-old Caucasian woman who was referred to our department due to chronic cough. We perfor...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:BMJ case reports 2018-04, Vol.2018, p.bcr-2017-223888
Main Authors: Ferreira, Joana Maria Soares, Coimbra, Edite, Almeida, António Faria, Condé, Artur
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Atherosclerosis
Carotid arteries
Carotid Artery Diseases - diagnostic imaging
Carotid Artery Diseases - pathology
Carotid Artery, Internal - abnormalities
Carotid Artery, Internal - diagnostic imaging
Carotid Artery, Internal - pathology
Case reports
Conservative Treatment
Cough - etiology
Ears & hearing
Female
Gastroenterology
Humans
Hypertension
Hypopharynx - diagnostic imaging
Hypopharynx - pathology
Incidental Findings
Laryngoscopy
Reminder of Important Clinical Lesson
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Treatment Outcome
Veins & arteries
Watchful Waiting
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Summary:Anatomical variations of the cervical part of the internal carotid artery (ICA) are not rare in the general population. They are usually asymptomatic and more common in the elderly. We report the case of a 70-year-old Caucasian woman who was referred to our department due to chronic cough. We performed a flexible nasofibrolaryngoscopy that demonstrated the presence of a pulsatile mass in the hypopharynx. After performing a cervical contrast-enhanced CT, the mass turned out to be an aberrant variation of the cervical part of the ICA. This case is intended to alert otolaryngologists, anaesthesiologists, radiologists and surgeons for this accidental finding and the possible consequences for the patient if not diagnosed and properly oriented.
ISSN:1757-790X
1757-790X
DOI:10.1136/bcr-2017-223888