Abstract
SUMMARY: Persistent stapedial artery is a vascular anomaly with both clinical and surgical implications. Because of its scarcity, however, it remains underrecognized on imaging. Presented here is a series of 10 cases, demonstrating characteristic CT findings associated with this vascular anomaly and its most common pathognomonic imaging signs. The variable morphologic configurations and their corresponding embryologic underpinnings are described. Clinical and surgical implications of this rare anomaly are discussed.
ABBREVIATION:
- PSA
- persistent stapedial artery
- MMA
- middle meningeal artery
- CCA
- common carotid artery
- CTC
- caroticotympanic canaliculus
- ITC
- inferior tympanic canaliculus
- CHL
- conductive hearing loss
- ECA
- external carotid artery
- ICA
- internal carotid artery
- CTA
- caroticotympanic artery
- ITA
- inferior tympanic artery
- FNC
- facial nerve canal
Footnotes
INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD APPROVAL: 20-002533.
- © 2020 by American Journal of Neuroradiology