A FEARED ANOMALY FOR SURGERY: ABERRANT CAROTID ARTERY

Eskişehir Osmangazi Üniversitesi Tıp Fak, KBB, Eskişehir, Türkiye Aberrant internal carotid artery is a very rare cause of posterior oropharyngeal masses. It may cause serious vascular injury during surgical interventions, orotracheal intubation and cervical trauma. First case; 76-years-old female patient was admitted to our clinic with the complaint of hearing loss. A pulsatile mass was revealed at oropharyngeal examination. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the neck showed that left aberrant ICA was underneath the oropharynx. Second case; 61-years-old male patient was admitted to our clinic with the complaint of dysphagia. Oropharyngeal examination and neck CT revealed bilateral internal carotid artery aberration. Patients were informed about their situation and follow up was recommended. When a pulsatile oropharyngeal mass is realized at examination, aberrant internal carotid artery should be kept in mind. Keywords : Internal Carotid Artery, Anomaly, Aberrant