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Anatomical variation of internal carotid artery presenting as pharyngeal mass

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 February 2009

S C Leong  and
D A Luff
S C Leong*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Countess of Chester Hospital, Chester, UK
D A Luff
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Countess of Chester Hospital, Chester, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Mr Samuel C Leong, Flat A, 34 Upper Parliament Street, Liverpool L8 1TE, UK. E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Objective:

We describe a case of an internal carotid artery loop presenting as an oropharyngeal mass.

Method:

Case report and review of current literature.

Case report:

A 71-year-old woman presented with an asymptomatic oropharyngeal mass. This was an incidental finding by her general practitioner and was urgently referred as a suspicious lesion. A magnetic resonance imaging scan revealed an internal carotid artery tonsillar kink indenting into the pharyngeal wall. No further treatment was necessary.

Conclusion:

The internal carotid kink is an important anatomical variation which ENT surgeons should be aware of, as there are significant complications if blind biopsy is undertaken prior to appropriate imaging.

Keywords

Internal Carotid ArteryPharynxTonsil
Type
Online Only Clinical Record
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 123 , Issue 4 , April 2009 , e13
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2009

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