Hi Jo,
Nice image,
I would not be too concerned about this.
It is unlikely to cause any serious complication.
The plaque is most likely quite stable and as it is well into the ECA it does not provide a stroke risk.
The branch is most likely the superior thyroidal artery and if that plaque did dislodge (unlikely) it will wither be siphoned into that branch or up the ECA further, neither of which is likely to cause a significant serious problem as there is plenty of collateral reserve in both circulations.
So I would just describe it as a small, soft plaque adjacent to the origin of the superior thyroidal artery and leave it at that.
I don’t think there will be any management change based on this finding.
Great work Jo,
Steve