Aberrant internal carotid artery in the middle ear: two case reports

B-ENT. 2007;3(4):191-4.

Abstract

Objective: To describe the clinical and radiological features of the vascular anomaly, aberrant internal carotid artery (ICA) in the temporal bone.

Methodology: Case reports on two patients.

Results and conclusions: Aberrant ICA in the middle ear is a rare congenital abnormality usually identified on a computed tomographic scan before beginning middle ear surgery. Misdiagnosis may lead to serious surgical complications such as major bleeding, or even neurological deficit due to endovascular occlusion.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Carotid Artery, Internal / abnormalities*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Ear, Middle / blood supply*
  • Female
  • Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / diagnosis
  • Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Temporal Bone / blood supply*
  • Tinnitus / diagnostic imaging
  • Tinnitus / etiology*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Vascular Diseases / complications*
  • Vascular Diseases / diagnosis