Tortuous internal carotid artery indenting the piriform sinus : a case report

• Published in: European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology Vol. 262; no. 4; pp. 351 - 352
• Main Authors: AYDIN, Erdinc, AKKUZU, Güzin, AKKUZU, Babür, ÖZLÜOGLU, Levent N
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin Springer 01.04.2005
• Subjects: Airway Obstruction - etiology; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiovascular system; Carotid Artery Diseases - complications; Carotid Artery Diseases - diagnosis; Carotid Artery, Internal; Female; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Pharynx; Radiodiagnosis. Nmr imagery. Nmr spectrometry; Torsion Abnormality - complications; Torsion Abnormality - diagnosis; Human; Internal carotid; Radiodiagnosis; Angiography; Abnormalities; Cardiovascular disease; ENT; Case study; Internal carotid artery; CT angiography; Medical imagery; Piriform sinus; Anomaly; Computerized axial tomography
• ISSN: 0937-4477; 1434-4726
• DOI: 10.1007/s00405-004-0810-4

A case of tortuous internal carotid artery bulging and partially obliterating the piriform sinus, causing a sensation of fullness and abnormal throat, accompanied by choking spells in a 57-year-old patient is presented. Endoscopic examination and computerized tomographic angiography were useful in establishing the diagnosis. This rare anomaly should be recognized in order to prevent possible fatal hemorrhages during further surgical interventions of the piriform sinus.