Traumatic Carotid Artery Pseudoaneurysm Mimicking A Peritonsillar Abscess

Carotid artery pseudoaneurysms can occur in many different etiologies including blunt or penetrating trauma and iatrogenic causes which happen during vascular procedures. Although there are no external signs of neck trauma in 50% of cases, neck hematoma, bruits, pulsatile neck mass, or a palpable thrill may be found on physical examination. Patients with pseudoaneurysm of the internal carotid artery are usually present with neurologic complaints which could be occurred for hours to weeks following the initial injury. Here, we report a case with a traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the internal carotid artery after blunt trauma which was initially misdiagnosed as a peritonsillar abscess.