A Clinical Classification System for Aberrant Internal Carotid Arteries

Abstract

Parapharyngeal ICA aberrations are common and probably under-appreciated anatomic variations. The awareness of these anomalies is essential for clinicians. Since the current anatomic classification is insufficient to outline patients with an increased risk of ICA injury, a clinicoradiological graduation of cervical ICA aberrations may be of practical benefit.

The Moving Carotid Artery: A Retrospective Review of the Retropharyngeal Carotid Artery and the Incidence of Positional Changes on Serial Studies

“…3 Ligation of the ICA to control hemorrhage after these complications may result in hemiplegia. 8 Additionally, the presence of a retropharyngeal ICA may be a contributing factor to obstructive sleep apnea. 3 For these reasons, it is important to communicate the presence of a retropharyngeal carotid artery to the clinician.…”

“…The retropharyngeal carotid artery is a clinically important anatomic variant, and numerous complications associated with this anatomic variant have been reported in the literature. These include hemorrhage from the ICA during surgical procedures involving the pharynx, 8 inadvertent puncture of and injection of anesthetic into the ICA during transoral blocking of the glossopharyngeal nerve, 3 and injury of the ICA during tracheal intubation. 3 Ligation of the ICA to control hemorrhage after these complications may result in hemiplegia.…”

“…Ligation of the ICA to control hemorrhage may result in hemiplegia. 8 During a transoral approach for blocking of the glossopharyngeal nerve, there may be inadvertent arterial puncture or injection of local anesthetic into the retropharyngeal ICA. 3 Additionally, there is a risk of injury to and resultant hemorrhage from the retropharyngeal ICA during tracheal intubation.…”

Stenting in the Remnant of the Third Aortic Arch in a Case of Post-Irradiation Occluded Internal Carotid Artery

“…the other anatomical variations of the cervical ICa include fenestration, duplication, or aberrant course development 10,11 . In cases involving fenestration, there is no discrepancy between the two components of the common trunk.…”

Aberrant parapharyngeal internal carotid artery: a case series

“…Litearatürde parafarengeal İKA'nın anormal seyrinin genel nüfusun %10-40'ında mevcut olduğu ve bunların sadece %5-6'sının ağır anomali olduğu bildirilmiştir. [2,3] Olguların %80'i belirti vermemekte ve çoğu görüntüleme yöntemlerinde, fizik muayenede veya ameliyat sırasında fark edilmektedir. Semptomatik parafarengeal İKA anormal seyri yutma zorluğu, yabancı cisim hissi, pulsatil ses algısı veya intraoral pulsasyon gibi yakın-malara neden olabilir ve belirtiler daha çok yaşlı nüfusta görülmektedir.…”