Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics (대한후두음성언어의학회지)

The Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics. (대한후두음성언어의학회)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Aberrant Carotid Artery Associated with Throat Discomfort and Retropharyngeal Mass

  • Hong, Yong Tae (Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Research Institute for Clinical Medicine of Jeonbuk National University, Biomedical Research Institute of Jeonbuk National University Hospital) ;
  • Kim, Sol (Department of Speech Pathology, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonbuk National University Hospital) ;
  • Kim, Min Ji (Department of Speech Pathology, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonbuk National University Hospital) ;
  • Hong, Ki Hwan (Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Research Institute for Clinical Medicine of Jeonbuk National University, Biomedical Research Institute of Jeonbuk National University Hospital)
  • Received : 2020.02.13
  • Accepted : 2020.05.25
  • Published : 2020.06.30
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

We present four cases of aberrant carotid arteries manifesting as pharyngeal masses with throat discomfort. The symptoms of this anomaly are very similar to those of laryngopharyngeal reflux or globus pharyngeus. The identification of this anomalous artery is essential for the head and neck surgeon because the anomaly frequently manifests as a symptomatic pulsatile mass in the pharynx. All patients complained of foreign body sensation in the throat and showed protrusion of the posterolateral pharyngeal wall anteromedially. CT scans demonstrated that there were two cases involving the right common carotid artery (CCA) and two cases involving both CCAs in the retropharyngeal space. As conclusion, the aberrant course of the artery can occur on both sides of CCAs, and it can manifest as a pharyngeal mass. When the patients complain of foreign body sensation in the throat without any other abnormal findings in the pharynx, we should consider the possibility that it may be due to the aberrant course of the CCA and its bifurcations in the retropharyngeal space.

Keywords

References

  1. Hertzanu Y, Tovi F. Radiology case of the month. Aberrant internal carotid artery manifesting as a pharyngeal mass. J Otolaryngol 1992;21(4):294-6.
  2. Schmal F, Stoll W. Differential diagnosis and management of retropharyngeal space-occupying lesions. HNO 2002;50(5):418-23. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00106-001-0617-1
  3. Miller S, Weill A, Maillard JC, Miaux Y, Chiras J. Aberrant internal carotid artery presenting in the midline retropharyngeal space: case report. Can Assoc Radiol J 1997;48(1):33-7.
  4. Palacios E, Kirsch D, Rojas R. Anomalous course of the carotid arteries in the retropharyngeal space poses a surgical risk. Ear Nose Throat J 2005;84(6):336-7. https://doi.org/10.1177/014556130508400605
  5. Ricciardelli E, Hillel AD, Schwartz AN. Aberrant carotid artery. Presentation in the near midline pharynx. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1989;115(4):519-22. https://doi.org/10.1001/archotol.1989.01860280117029
  6. Osguthorpe JD, Adkins WY Jr, Putney FJ, Hungerford GD. Internal carotid artery as source of tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy hemorrhage. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1981;89(5):758-62. https://doi.org/10.1177/019459988108900513
  7. Paulsen F, Tillmann B, Christofides C, Richter W, Koebke J. Curving and looping of the internal carotid artery in relation to the pharynx: frequency, embryology and clinical implications. J Anat 2000;197 Pt 3(Pt 3):373-81. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1469-7580.2000.19730373.x
  8. Fix TJ, Daffner RH, Deeb ZL. Carotid transposition: another cause of wide retropharyngeal soft tissues. AJR Am J Roentgenol 1996;167(5):1305-7. https://doi.org/10.2214/ajr.167.5.8911201
  9. Shanley DJ. Bilateral aberrant cervical internal carotid arteries. Neuroradiology 1992;35(1):55-6. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00588280
  10. Leipzig TJ, Dohrmann GJ. The tortuous or kinked carotid artery: pathogenesis and clinical considerations. A historical review. Surg Neurol 1986;25(5):478-86. https://doi.org/10.1016/0090-3019(86)90087-X
  11. Vega J, Gervas C, Vega-Hazas G, Barrera C, Biurrun C. Internal carotid artery transposition: another cause of widening of the retropharyngeal space. Eur Radiol 1999;9(2):347-8. https://doi.org/10.1007/s003300050678
  12. Arslan IB, Arslan Y, Demirhan E, Genc S, Pekcevik Y, Altin L, et al. Medially displaced common and internal carotid arteries presenting as a pulsatile mass: clinicoradiologic analysis of 62 cases. Ear Nose Throat J 2017;96(4-5):E1-7.