Morphological Variation of the Carotid Arterial System Increases the Risk of Development of Central Nervous System Ischemia

Abstract

During a routine cervicothoracic dissection, an anomalous carotid vascular system was discovered. Anomalies of the carotid vascular system are clinically significant due to their principal role in supplying blood to the neck, head, and brain. Our findings reveal a severe morphological variation of the carotid vascular system, which significantly increases the risk of developing central nervous system ischemia. Variations in morphology, including kinking and tortuosity, of the carotid arterial system described in this study should be considered when evaluating the symptoms consistent with central nervous system ischemia. The individual studied suffered from dementia as well as a past medical history of cardiovascular accident (CVA), Hypertension (HTN), and depression, which can be clinically related to the morphological variations seen in the carotid arterial system.