Deena Sara Mathew

Abstract

Background: Internal carotid artery (ICA) is a major source of blood supply to the brain. Awareness of the petrous and cavernous parts of ICA is significant for radiological diagnosis and surgical interventions on skull base. Though several angiographic studies and few endoscopic skull base studies have been done on the artery, there are very few cadaveric dissection studies available in the literature on both the parts. Aims: To study the morphology and morphometry of the petrous and cavernous parts of the ICA. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on fifty, formalin fixed head and neck specimens in the department of Anatomy, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India. The petrous and cavernous parts of the ICA were dissected. The appearance of their curvatures were studied, and any deviations from the normal were noted down. Their length and diameter were measured in cms, and analyzed using mean, standard deviation and ‘t’ test. Results: No abnormal curvatures were noted in the petrous part, but redundant curvature was observed in the cavernous part in 30%, and was more frequent on the right side. Aneurysms were noted in 4% and 10% of the petrous and cavernous parts respectively. The mean length and diameter of the petrous part were 3.8 ± 0.39 cm and 0.49 ± 0.24 cm respectively, and those of the cavernous part were 3.59 0.46cm and 0.48 ± 0.1cm respectively. Conclusion: Petrous part of ICA is fairly constant in appearance, whereas redundant curvature can affect the cavernous part (30%), and was more frequent on the right side. Aneurysms were less common, but observed in both the parts. There is no significant difference between the length and diameter of both the parts, which measured approximately 3.5 – 4 cm and 0.5 cm respectively. Keywords: Petrous part, Cavernous part, Internal carotid artery, Aneurysm, Redundant curvature, Variations.

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Abstract

Background: The Internal carotid artery (ICA) is one of the branches arising from the Common carotid artery. A study of variability in the origin and course of the cervical part of the ICA is clinically important for vascular surgeons in performing certain stenting procedures. Aims: The present study was conducted to study the variations in the origin and course of the cervical part of the ICA by cadaveric dissection method. Materials and Methods: A cadaveric study was conducted on fifty, formalin fixed head and neck specimens in the department of Anatomy, Pushpagiri Institute of medical sciences and research centre, Tiruvalla, Kerala, India. The pattern of origin, course of the cervical part of ICA were dissected and variations, if any, were noted. Results: Internal carotid artery originated from the Common carotid artery in 100% of the specimens. High origin of the ICA (38%) was the commonest variation in the origin observed with a higher incidence on the right side. The commonest variations in the cervical part were kinks (32%) with a higher frequency on the left side and aneurysms (4%) with equal distribution on both sides. Conclusion: Anomalous origin and course of ICA may damage the vessel while performing certain surgical procedures like stenting. Thus sound knowledge of the variations in the origin and course of the vessel is essential for general and vascular surgeons in performing surgical procedures without unnecessary complications. Keywords: Internal carotid artery, Variations, Dissection.

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