Tortuous internal carotid artery narrowing pyriform sinus: two cases.

An elongation of the internal carotid artery should be classified as a tortuosity or a kink. Tortuosity of the carotid artery is rarely seen in otolaryngologic practice. In videolaryngoscopic examination, bilateral pyriform sinus narrowing was found in one patient and unilateral pyriform sinus narrowing in the other patient. Computed tomographic scans showed tortuous internal carotid artery in both patients. Awareness of the possible internal carotid artery tortuosity is very important to prevent serious complications during laryngeal and pharyngeal surgical procedures.