The aberrant internal carotid artery: a rare and important anatomic variant

ConclusionsThe 4 hallmark radiographic findings for an aberrant ICA are an enlarged inferior tympanic canaliculus (ITC), an enhancing hypotympanic mass, an absent vertical segment of the ICA, and dehiscence of the cortex covering the tympanic portion of the ICA.4 Because of the lack of soft tissue/vascular contrast on a CBCT image, only an enlarged ITC and dehiscence of the cortex were seen in this study. Aberrant ICAs are known to cause tinnitus, which can mimic symptoms of a temporomandibular disorder (TMD).5 Because the patient was lost to follow-up, these findings could not be correlated clinically. However, it is important to note that a normal variant, as in this case, could contribute to the differential diagnosis and surgical intervention for TMDs or other incidental pathologies typically seen on CBCT.
Source: Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology - Category: ENT & OMF Source Type: research