Spontaneous rupture of the common carotid artery with pseudoaneurysm formation.

A 27-year-old man presented to the ED with an expanding neck mass after a Valsalva maneuver during sexual intercourse. This patient was found to have sustained a spontaneous rupture of the common carotid artery with pseudoaneurysm formation. The defect was repaired surgically with a saphenous vein patch, and the patient recovered. We discuss the rare occurrence of spontaneous carotid artery rupture and subsequent pseudoaneurysm.