NeuroradiologyAberrant carotid artery
developmental anomaly of the internal carotid
artery such that it has an anomalous (aberrant) course within the petrous bone.
The artery enters the petrous bone more posteriorly and laterally than usual and angles sharply anteriorly and medially, traversing the middle ear cavity. Clinically, patients may complain of pulsating tinnitus, and a pulsating retrotympanic mass may be observed.
The gold standard examination to demonstrate the aberrant course is selective catheter angiography but angio MR may also disclose the anomaly. CT demonstrates an absent vertical carotid canal and the presence of a soft tissue mass in the middle ear cavity.
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