[Approach to acute non-inflammatory increase in the circumference of the neck]

We describe a case of spontaneous rupture of a left common carotid artery aneurysm during coughing which had lead to the demise of the patient despite a surgical intervention. This case is correlated with three cases of cervical haematomas which also presented with an acute increase in the neck circumference. Based on the literature and our own experience, we discuss the diagnostic and surgical approach to patients suspected of having aneurysms of the great vessels of the neck.