Nontraumatic Cavernous Hemangioma of the Carotid Region Masquerading as Cervical Lymphadenopathy: A Rare Case Report

Cervical swellings in adults are commonly evaluated for metastatic or infective etiologies. Vascular lesions such as cavernous hemangiomas are extremely rare in the carotid region and can pose significant diagnostic challenges. We report a 63-year-old female presenting with a left-sided neck swelling, clinically and radiologically suspected to be cervical lymphadenopathy. Fine-needle aspiration cytology was inconclusive. Intraoperatively, the lesion was identified as a pulsatile vascular mass near the carotid bifurcation. Complete excision was performed, and histopathological examination confirmed a cavernous hemangioma. Nontraumatic cavernous hemangioma of the carotid region is an exceptionally rare entity that can closely mimic lymphadenopathy. A high index of suspicion, careful intraoperative assessment, and histopathological confirmation are essential for accurate diagnosis and safe management.