Tortuous Internal Carotid Artery Presenting as an Oropharyngeal Mass：A Case Report

Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology 2007;23(2):178-180.
Published online November 30, 2007.

Il Kang Kim;Dong Jin Yum;Jae Ho Kang;Sung Ho Park

구인두 종괴로 오인된 내경동맥 사행 1예

김일강;염동진;강재호;박성호

Abstract

Tortuosity of the internal carotid artery is not a rare condition. A 68-year-old woman presented with a 3 years’ history of a pulsatile tinnitus and throat abnormal sensation. On physical examination, a soft pulsatile mass on the left posterior oropharyngeal wall was noted. By neck CT and neck MRI the tortuous internal carotd artery was visualized. Otolaryngologists should recognize this anomaly and the patient should be made aware of their condition, because it may cause a fatal or near-fatal hemorrhage during surgical procedures in the pharynx, especially tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy and drainage of peritonsillar abscess. We report a case of a left internal carotid artery tortuosity as an oropharyngeal mass.

Key Words: Tortuosity, Internal carotid artery