Retropharyngeal Carotid Artery Calcification on Implant Evaluation

A 58-year-old female was referred for implant site evaluation. The radiologist incidentally identified a carotid artery calcification, though not in the typical location at the bifurcation. The calcification was positioned more toward the midline, suggestive of a retropharyngeal carotid artery calcification, a finding the radiologist noted is uncommon. Its atypical location could have been confused with a different anatomical structure such as the hyoid or thyroid, potentially leading to insufficient follow-up.