Dense Lymphatic Tissue Causing Compression of the Internal Carotid Artery

A 59-year-old HIV positive female presented with cardiac symptomatology. Cardiology workup included a cardiac catheterization during which a carotid angiogram was performed demonstrating a 90% stenosis of the right carotid artery. The stenosis was the result of lymphoid hyperplasia with pseudo obstruction of the right carotid artery. Patients who have acquired human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may have enlarged neck lymph tissue impinging on other anatomical structures causing displacement or stenosis, including the carotid artery.