Aberrant internal carotid artery.
An aberrant internal carotid artery (ICA) in the middle ear is rare. If unrecognized, it may lead to massive hemorrhage or other catastrophic results during even a minor surgical procedure of the tympanic membrane or middle ear. Recognition of this entity is particularly significant to the primary care or emergency department physician who performs tympanocentesis as a routine part of clinical practice. We present the management and radiographic findings of a case of aberrant ICA referred because of persistent bleeding following a minor surgical procedure. The possibility of an anomalous artery in the middle ear had been recognized during surgery. The procedure was aborted and the patient referred for definitive care.
Cole
R D
RD
Department of Otolaryngology, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1034.
May
J S
JS
D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002648:Child; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000098:blood supply*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000209:etiology; D011859:Radiography