Presentation
Sudden onset of difficulty swallowing, a sensation of a swollen tongue, deviation of the tongue to the right side, slurred speech, and asymmetry of the smile.
Patient Data
MRI imaging of the attenuated incidental aneurysm. Using FLAIR, a hyperintensity can be seen on the right side of the C1 cervical segment of the internal carotid artery above the bifurcation of the common carotid into the internal and external carotid arteries. This can be seen in both the axial and sagittal imaging.
Case Discussion
The patient presented with slurred speech and difficulty swallowing, among other symptoms. The right side of the C1 cervical segment of the internal carotid artery appears to have an incidental aneurysm 1.
This incidental aneurysm is an acquired vascular lesion that generally never ruptures. The incidental aneurysm in the patient is at the junction of the cervical/petrous portions of the right ICA and is generally rare, accounting for less than 1% of all arterial aneurysms 2.
Case courtesy of Dr. Zane Sherif and Mr. Ben Kennedy.