Spontaneous Pseudoaneurysm of an External Carotid Artery Branch Presenting as a Parotid Mass: A Case Report and Literature Review

This case report describes a rare spontaneous pseudoaneurysm of an external carotid artery (ECA) branch presenting as a parotid mass in a 65-year-old female. Initial imaging for right sixth cranial nerve palsy incidentally identified a 3 cm parotid lesion. Doppler ultrasound revealed a pseudoaneurysm, confirmed by computed tomography (CT) angiography, demonstrating thrombosed areas and ruling out a true aneurysm. Conservative management was pursued with no progression on follow-up imaging. This case highlights the diagnostic value of Doppler ultrasound in differentiating vascular anomalies and reinforces the need to consider pseudoaneurysms in the differential diagnosis of parotid masses for timely management.