Anatomical Variants of Internal Carotid Artery—Results from a Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The internal carotid artery (ICA) is a vascular structure that can be easily injured during sinus endoscopic procedures, and surgeons should be familiar with its anatomic variants. The aim of this study was to describe the anatomical variations in the internal carotid artery in relationship to sphenoidal sinuses, using computed tomography (CT). Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, we evaluated the variations of the ICA in relationship to sphenoidal sinuses in a cohort of 600 patients who were assessed between January 2020 and December 2022 in ‘Saint Spiridon’ Emergency Hospital, Iasi, Romania. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize our data. Results: The most prevalent anatomical variant was represented by intrasinusal septa with posterior insertion on the ICA (58.6%), followed by procident ICA (58%) and dehiscent ICA (52%). We could not find any statistical significance regarding demographic characteristics among groups. Conclusions: A thorough CT examination should be performed before functional endoscopic sinus surgery, with the identification of anatomical variants of the ICA, in order to prevent its injury with potentially fatal consequences.

Keywords

• internal carotid artery
• anatomic variants
• endoscopic sinus surgery
• paranasal sinuses