title: Persistent stapedial artery.
abstract: Persistence of the stapedial artery is rare. A case is presented in which the stapedial artery was found over the footplate during stapes surgery. The technical problems encountered are discussed. A wire prosthesis has previously been used in the presence of a persistent stapedial artery and we describe the use of an all Teflon prosthesis. A subsequent CT scan demonstrated the vessel in the middle ear. An outline of the embryology of the stapedial artery is given and the literature reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Sandwell General Hospital, West Bromwich, Birmingham.
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Pahor
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Hussain
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001158:Arteries / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000196:embryology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009998:Ossicular Prosthesis; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D013199:Stapes / Q000098:blood supply*; D013201:Stapes Surgery
chemical_list: D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene