Pseudoaneurysms of the extracranial carotid arteries are rarely seen following irradiation for cancers of the head and neck. We present a patient with a pseudoaneurysm of the common carotid artery following a radical neck dissection and irradiation for thyroid carcinoma 20 years earlier. Following oesophagoscopical examination, a pseudoaneurysm of the right common carotid artery ruptured into the piriform sinus. The common carotid artery was embolized with multiple coils and the bleeding was halted. The relationship between the carotid artery aneurysm and irradiation, and the treatment of carotid artery aneurysm, is discussed.

The case of a massive benign thyroid goitre extending from the arch of aorta to the nasopharynx presenting with acute aerodigestive obstruction is reported. The management of the case is discussed and also a review of the relevant literature.

The occurrence of plasma cell granuloma of the larynx appears to be unusual. Review of the literature revealed only two previously reported cases. We present an additional case of plasma cell granuloma of the larynx. The diagnosis was made by histological and immunohistochemical examinations. The tumour was successfully treated by radiation therapy.

The authors report a case of an unusual inflammatory reaction in a thyroglossal cyst. It consisted of broad papillary intraluminal projections covered by histiocytes and occasional multinucleate giant cells. This benign process should not be confused with a true papillary neoplasm, a rare complication of a thyroglossal cyst.