RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Pharyngo-occipital artery variant arising from the internal carotid artery impacting surgical technique during carotid endarterectomy
JF Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery
JO J NeuroIntervent Surg
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.
SP e14
OP e14
DO 10.1136/neurintsurg-2011-010215
VO 5
IS 3
A1 Randall B Graham
A1 Patrick A Sugrue
A1 Rudy J Rahme
A1 H Hunt Batjer
A1 Bernard R Bendok
YR 2013
UL http://jnis.bmj.com/content/5/3/e14.abstract
AB Background and importance Extracranial carotid artery atherosclerotic stenosis typically occurs at the junction of the common carotid, external carotid and internal carotid arteries. Although rare, anatomical arterial variants can influence surgical strategy and can have a significant impact on surgical complications and patient outcome. An unusual case of atherosclerotic stenosis of the internal carotid artery (ICA) at the origin of a pharyngo-occipital variant off of the ICA is reported here. Clinical presentation A 60-year-old man presented with symptomatic severe left cervical ICA stenosis. The stenosis was related to the origin of the pharyngo-occipital common trunk which arose from the ICA rather than the typical origin off of the external carotid artery. The patient underwent successful left carotid endarterectomy with special attention to this variant anatomy. Conclusion Anomalies of the extracranial ICA, although rare, can influence the location of atherosclerotic disease and the surgical endarterectomy strategy. A detailed anatomical study should be performed prior to surgery to minimize risk and improve patient outcome.