Thursday 29 September 2011

Intracavernous ICA Curvature

3 D TOF Non contrast MR Angiography of brain shows right ICA cavernous portion is medially deviated in sella. Normally cavernous ICAs has para sellar course. 
This sellar course of right ICA is a normal anatomical variation.
In this case left cavernous ICA show normal course and angulations.

When both the ICA show such medial deviation in sella and may touch each other, known as kissing carotids - a rare variant. Mostly noted incidentally during CT or MR Angiography.  Can mimic pituitary disease due to pituitary stalk compression and may complicate trans sphenoidal surgery.

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