Retropharyngeal Carotid Artery

Variability in the position of the retropharyngeal internal carotid artery.

The retropharyngeal internal carotid artery (ICA) is a well-described arterial anomaly with important implications for patients undergoing pharyngeal approach surgical procedures. Existing clinical and imaging classification schemes for a retropharyngeal ICA take into account arterial distance to the pharyngeal mucosal wall. We describe a case of mobility of a retropharyngeal ICA between short-...

Internal carotid artery narrowing in children with retropharyngeal lymphadenitis and abscess.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Our purpose was to describe the association between narrowing of the internal carotid artery (ICA) and retropharyngeal abscess in children. METHODS Neck CT scans from 13 consecutive children with suppurative retropharyngeal lymphadenitis and abscess were evaluated retrospectively for asymmetric ICA diameters at the level of the abscess. Clinical status at the time of il...

A Penetrating Pellet Jeopardizing Internal Carotid Artery

Internal Carotid Artery Ectasia: The Value of Imaging Studies Prior to Biopsy of a Retropharyngeal Mass

The presence of retropharyngeal tissue mass often raises the suspicion of malignancy, especially in elderly patients. This prompts urgent biopsy to investigate tissue histology. We discuss a case where this is contraindicated as the retropharyngeal mass was illustrated by CT scanning and confirmed with MRI to be a tortuous coursing internal carotid artery. An awareness of this unusual anatomica...

Report of a Variation of the Right Common Carotid Artery

Carotid artery is the most important artery that carries the major part of the blood supply to the head and neck. The branching of the common carotid artery usually occurs at the upper edge of the thyroid cartilage. The placement of carotid sinus has also increased its importance in this area. Considering the clinical importance of knowledge about carotid artery variations, this case is reporte...