Aberrant Carotid Artery Associated with Throat Discomfort and Retropharyngeal Mass

ABSTRACT

We present four cases of aberrant carotid arteries manifesting as pharyngeal masses with throat discomfort. The symptoms of this anomaly are very similar to those of laryngopharyngeal reflux or globus pharyngeus. The identification of this anomalous artery is essential for the head and neck surgeon because the anomaly frequently manifests as a symptomatic pulsatile mass in the pharynx. All patients complained of foreign body sensation in the throat and showed protrusion of the posterolateral pharyngeal wall anteromedially. CT scans demonstrated that there were two cases involving the right common carotid artery (CCA) and two cases involving both CCAs in the retropharyngeal space. As conclusion, the aberrant course of the artery can occur on both sides of CCAs, and it can manifest as a pharyngeal mass. When the patients complain of foreign body sensation in the throat without any other abnormal findings in the pharynx, we should consider the possibility that it may be due to the aberrant course of the CCA and its bifurcations in the retropharyngeal space.