Abstract
We report one patient with agenesis and two with hypoplasia of the internal carotid artery (ICA) from an angiographic series of 1275 consecutive patients. In all three patients, MRI and MR angiography were used to establish the anatomical situation; however, they may not clearly distinguish between hypoplasia and agenesis or acquired stenosis or occlusion of the ICA. In such cases, CT of the skull base may be obtained to clarify matters. In all patients, retrograde flow via a large posterior communicating artery was demonstrated. Single-photon emission computed tomography confirmed both the adequacy of cerebral perfusion and the preservation of vasomotor reactivity.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Clarós P, Bandos R, Gilea I, et al (1999) Major congenital anomalies of the internal carotid artery. Agenesis, aplasia and hypoplasia. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 49: 69–76
Sliwka U, Schmidt P, Reul J, Noth J (1998) Agenesis of the internal carotid artery. Color Doppler, CT, and MR angiography findings. J Clin Ultrasound 26: 213–216
Czarnecki EJ, Silbergleit R, Mehta BA, Sanders WP (1998) Absence of the supraclinoid internal carotid artery in association with intracranial aneurysms. Neuroradiology 40: 11–14
Meder JF, Blustajn J, Trystram D, et al (1997) Radiologic anatomy of segmental agenesis of the internal carotid artery. Surg Radiol Anat 19: 385–394
Dinç H, Gümele HR, Kuzeyli K, Baykal S (1999) Unilateral agenesis of internal carotid artery with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Report of two cases. Int J Angiol 8: 157–160
Graham CB III, Wippold FJ II, Capps GW (1999) Magnetic resonance imaging in internal carotid artery agenesis with computed tomography and angiographic correlation. Case reports. Angiology 50: 847–853
Mellado JM, Merino X, Ramos A, Salvadó E, Saurí A (2001) Agenesis of the internal carotid artery with a trans-sellar anastomosis. CT and MRI findings in late-onset congenital hypopituitarism. Neuroradiology 43: 237–241
Yokochi K, Iwase K (1996) Bilateral internal carotid artery agenesis in a child with psychomotor developmental delay. Pediatr Neurol 15: 76–78
Fukuda M, Kameyama S, Takahashi H, Tanaka R (1998) Trigeminal neuralgia caused by the vertebral artery associated with primitive trigeminal artery and agenesis of the internal carotid artery. Case report. Neurol Med Chir (Tokyo) 38: 367–370
Jaeger HJ, Mehring UM, Gissler HM, Mathias KD (2000) Congenital absence of the internal carotid artery and the basilar artery with persistent trigeminal artery associated with coarctation of the aorta. Eur Radiol 10: 1805–1809
Chen CJ, Chen ST, Hsieh FY, Wang LJ, Wong YC (1998) Hypoplasia of the internal carotid artery with intercavernous anastomosis. Neuroradiology 40: 252–254
Hattori T, Kobayashi H, Inoue S, Sakai N (1998) Persistent primitive trigeminal artery associated with absence of internal carotid artery. Surg Neurol 50: 352–355
Pilleul F, Guibaud L, Badinand N, Rouviere O, Pracros JP (2001) Bilateral internal carotid agenesis. Value of CT angiography and correlation to embryogenesis. Eur Radiol 11: 858–860
Florio F, Balzano S, Nardella M, et al (1999) Congenital absence of the internal carotid artery. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 22: 74–78
Shuto T, Yamamoto I (2000) Ocular ischaemia with hypoplasia of the internal carotid artery associated with neurofibromatosis type 1. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 142: 353–354
Hendrikse J, Hartkamp MJ, Hillen B, Mali W PTM, van der Grond J (2001) Collateral ability of the circle of Willis in patients with unilateral internal carotid artery occlusion. Border zone infarcts and clinical symptoms. Stroke 32: 2768–2773
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ito, S., Miyazaki, H., Iino, N. et al. Unilateral agenesis and hypoplasia of the internal carotid artery: a report of three cases. Neuroradiology 47, 311–315 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-003-1090-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-003-1090-1