Retropharyngeal internal carotid artery: a rare presentation with significant clinical implications

Albeir Y Mousa; Ali F AbuRahma

doi:10.1016/j.avsg.2013.02.023

Retropharyngeal internal carotid artery: a rare presentation with significant clinical implications

Ann Vasc Surg. 2013 Nov;27(8):1189.e1-4. doi: 10.1016/j.avsg.2013.02.023. Epub 2013 Aug 26.

Authors

Albeir Y Mousa¹, Ali F AbuRahma

Affiliation

¹ Department of Surgery, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University, Charleston, WV. Electronic address: mona.lett@camc.org.

PMID: 23988542
DOI: 10.1016/j.avsg.2013.02.023

Abstract

A retropharyngeal internal carotid artery is considered a rare anatomic variant with clinical implications. We present a 73-year-old woman with asymptomatic left carotid stenosis, in whom we elected to proceed with medical treatment. An evaluation of her computed tomography angiography scan revealed a retropharyngeal internal carotid artery. This case report outlines this rare entity and highlights its clinical significance.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Aged
Asymptomatic Diseases
Carotid Artery, Internal / abnormalities*
Carotid Artery, Internal / diagnostic imaging
Carotid Stenosis / complications*
Carotid Stenosis / diagnostic imaging
Carotid Stenosis / therapy
Female
Humans
Incidental Findings
Predictive Value of Tests
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Vascular Malformations / complications
Vascular Malformations / diagnosis*