Spontaneous rupture of an internal carotid artery aneurysm diagnosed as a peritonsillar abscess, a tonsillar and epipharyngeal carcinoma with metastasis.

The author observed a spontaneous rupture of an internal carotid artery aneurysm with initial manifestations of throat pain and subfebrillity. The condition was diagnosed as peritonsillar abscess. Two days later, a swelling appeared on the same side of the neck, which necessitated a revision of the primary diagnosis and acceptance of another one--a carcinoma of the palatine tonsil with metastasis. A third diagnosis was made on hospitalization--epipharyngeal carcinoma with metastasis. Physical examination disclosed an intact skin of the neck with a right-side tumefaction of a walnut size. The right tonsil was displaced anteriorly and medially. The epi- and hypopharynx were restricted. Simultaneous palpation of the displaced tonsil and the neck tumefaction showed that the lesion was single and pulsated. The pulsations were synchronous with the pulse. Contrast angiography showed an internal carotid artery aneurysm reaching the cranial base. The manifestation of the aneurysm by pains at the throat, subfebrillity, the displacement of the palatine tonsil and the appearance of a neck tumefaction were related to a spontaneous rupture. The absence of a skin lividity was most probably due to the barrier function of the neck fasciae concerning the haematoma.