A typical etiology of a common carotid artery aneurysm: diagnostic and therapeutic insights from a case report.

Carotid artery aneurysms are rare, accounting for only 0.4% to 4% of all peripheral artery aneurysms, and can present with non-specific symptoms. We report a case of a 38-year-old male who presented with a 2-week history of a tender, pulsatile left neck mass. He had no history of trauma, infection, or connective tissue disease, but was an active smoker. Clinical examination and contrast-enhanced CT angiography revealed a 2.1 cm aneurysm of the left common carotid artery. The patient underwent successful open surgical repair using a reversed great saphenous vein interposition graft. Histopathological examination of the aneurysm wall and a comprehensive vasculitis workup were unremarkable. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course and remained asymptomatic on follow-up. This case highlights the importance of early imaging and surgical intervention in managing carotid artery aneurysms to prevent potentially catastrophic complications.