Ascending pharyngeal artery collateral circulation simulating internal carotid artery hypoplasia.
Complete occlusion of the cervical segment of the internal carotid artery may result in a collateral circuit between an enlarged ascending pharyngeal artery and the intracranial segment of the internal carotid artery. This anastomosis may simulate a severely stenotic or hypoplastic internal carotid artery. Differentiation between these entities is particularly important if carotid endarterectomy for relief of stenosis is contemplated.
D000293:Adolescent; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D003097:Collateral Circulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010614:Pharynx / Q000098:blood supply*; D011859:Radiography