Dangerous anatomic variation of internal carotid artery – a rare case report

Reena AGRAWAL, Sanjeeb Kumar A

Abstract

The aim is to report a case of retropharyngeal tortuous right internal carotid artery in a 74-year-old male patient. Anatomical variants of the carotid artery have been reported with a large variability of pattern and degree. Devastating complications can result from biopsy, surgical and anesthetic procedures in presence of a retropharyngeal internal carotid artery. A retropharyngeal mass is usually found in an asymptomatic patient during a routine head and neck examination. Symptomatic patients may present with complaints of dysphagia, abnormal voice, or foreign body sensation in the posterior pharynx.

Relevant Publications in International Journal of Anatomical Variations