title: Extracranial carotid artery aneurysm.
abstract: Although rare, extracranial carotid aneurysms are common enough to be considered in the differential diagnosis of a mass in the neck or posterior pharynx. The unexpected finding of an aneurysm of the carotid artery during the biopsy of a mass in the neck for histologic diagnosis could be catastrophic. The case presented demonstrates the importance of diagnostic imaging of the neck prior to biopsy of a clinically presumed solid mass.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Oakwood Hospital, Dearborn, Michigan 48123-2500.
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Tertel
authors.forename: N M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Beydoun
authors.forename: W C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D000783:Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography