A pulsatile mass in the retropharynx: dangerous aberrations of the cervical carotid artery.

Aberrations of the cervical internal carotid artery can be detected in the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and hypopharynx. Most previous literature reviews have focused on an analysis of the anatomic variations. However, clinical symptoms and physical examination findings have been rarely reported. Our clinical study describes a 63-year-old woman who presented with a lumpy and sore throat. We found an obvious protruding pulsatile mass in her retropharynx. Furthermore, an additional head and neck computed tomographic scan showed a variant course of the left common carotid artery and left internal carotid artery in the retropharynx and oropharynx.