An atypical stapedial artery

J Int Adv Otol. 2020 Aug;16(2):274-277. doi: 10.5152/iao.2019.4002.

Abstract

The persistence of the stapedial artery is a rare vascular anomaly. It is mostly asymptomatic but sometimes cause conductive hearing loss, pulsatile tinnitus, or vertigo. The estimated prevalence of this rare postembryonic persistence ranged from 0.02% to 0.48%. Four different anatomical forms have been identified, and their preoperative diagnostic is essential. We report the case of an incidental discovery of pharyngo-hyo-stapedial artery, the most uncommon form of persistent stapedial artery. Its per-operative finding has become rare because tomodensitometry is performed in case of conductive hearing loss. The continuous improvement of imagery resolution will probably help to revise the incidence of this malformation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Hearing Loss, Conductive / congenital
  • Hearing Loss, Conductive / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Incidental Findings
  • Medical Illustration
  • Stapedius / blood supply*
  • Stapedius / diagnostic imaging
  • Tinnitus / congenital
  • Tinnitus / diagnosis*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*
  • Vascular Malformations / diagnosis*