Aberrant Retropharyngeal Internal Carotid Artery in a Child with Spondyloepimetaphyseal Dysplasia and Cleft Palate

In a patient with spondyloepimetaphyseal dysplasia and cleft palate, the course of the internal carotid artery was aberrant. Prompt identification of this anomaly is critical, because operative fatality can occur if the defect is unrecognized. This case illustrates the occurrence of this vascular anomaly and focuses on options for radiologic identification and evaluation of the defect.