Critical carotid artery stenosis involving a persistent primitive hypoglossal artery

Laura B Pride; Emily R Lagergren; David H Hafner; Arun A Chervu

doi:10.1016/j.jvscit.2020.01.016

Critical carotid artery stenosis involving a persistent primitive hypoglossal artery

J Vasc Surg Cases Innov Tech. 2020 Apr 13;6(2):177-180. doi: 10.1016/j.jvscit.2020.01.016. eCollection 2020 Jun.

Authors

Laura B Pride¹, Emily R Lagergren¹, David H Hafner¹, Arun A Chervu¹

Affiliation

¹ Vascular Surgical Associates, Marietta, Ga.

Abstract

Persistent primitive hypoglossal artery (PPHA) is a rare internal carotid-vertebrobasilar anatomic variant. Awareness of this anomaly and its propensity for atherosclerotic disease is important to avoid misinterpretation of diagnostic studies and to allow appropriate interventional planning. As the predominant vascular supply to the anterior and posterior cerebral circulation, its luminal compromise can lead to devastating ischemic complications. Carotid endarterectomy and carotid stenting have both been performed to treat lesions involving a PPHA. Herein, we report a case of carotid endarterectomy involving a PPHA and discuss the clinical and surgical implications of a carotid lesion in the presence of a PPHA.

Keywords: Atherosclerosis; Carotid artery disease; Endarterectomy; Hypoglossal artery.

Publication types

Case Reports