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A persistent pharyngohyostapedial artery: embryologic implications
V Lefournier1, A Vasdev, P Bessou
1Department of Neuroradiology, Hôpital A Michallon, Grenoble, France.
AJNR. American Journal of Neuroradiology
|March 27, 1999
Insights
A persistent pharyngohyostapedial artery, an embryonic remnant, was identified in a child with ear bleeding. This rare vascular anomaly can mimic internal carotid artery duplication.
Area of Science:
- Vascular anatomy
- Embryology
- Pediatric radiology
Background:
- Otorrhagia in children necessitates thorough investigation of potential vascular causes.
- Understanding rare anatomical variations is crucial for accurate diagnosis.
Observation:
- A 3-year-old child presented with otorrhagia.
- Computed tomography (CT) scans revealed an unusual vascular structure.
- Angiography confirmed the presence of this anomalous vessel.
Findings:
- The identified vessel was a persistent pharyngohyostapedial artery.
- This artery is an embryonic remnant.
- Its presence alongside the normal internal carotid artery can create the appearance of internal carotid artery duplication.
Implications:
- This finding provides a potential explanation for perceived internal carotid artery duplication in pediatric cases.
- Recognizing this anomaly is important for avoiding misdiagnosis and guiding appropriate clinical management.
- Further research into the prevalence and clinical significance of persistent pharyngohyostapedial artery is warranted.
Abstract:
A 3-year-old child was examined because of otorrhagia. CT scans showed an unusual vessel, confirmed by angiography, related to a persistent pharyngohyostapedial artery. This embryonic persistent artery associated with the normal internal carotid artery would explain the "duplication" aspect of the internal carotid artery.