An Unusual Midline Mass of the Neck Encircling the Right Common Carotid Artery Found on Routine Dissection - A Case Report

Background: The differential diagnosis of a patient who presents with a neck mass is broad and extensive. An unusual midline mass in the neck, encircling the right common carotid artery was found on routine dissection of about 45 year old male embalmed cadaver which was brought to K.V.G. Medical College and hospital, Department of Anatomy.

Aims: To study this unusual midline mass in the neck and its relevant anatomical importance Material and Method: Radical neck Dissection was conducted and details of the swelling were examined.

Results: The mass extended from the ischolar_main of the neck in the midline and continued in the anterior mediastinum. Upper part was glandular and lower part was smooth. Upper part had involved only the right common carotid artery including the brachiocephalic trunk. Conclusion: This could be due to Malignant Thymoma, Lymphoma, secondaries to the neck from unknown primaries, or thymic carcinoma.

Significance: ENT Surgeons, general surgeons, and dentists have to be very careful while operating on the midline structures, as the mass like this sometimes can result in syncope due to compression of carotid vessels and the adjacent structures like the trachea, carotid sheath and its contents as well. The patient may collapse on table due to syncope or may have dyspnoea due to compression.