Intrapetrous carotid artery branches: pathological application.

Small intrapetrous internal carotid branches, including the vidian and periosteal arteries, may enlarge in response to hypervascular lesions affecting the posterosuperior nasopharnyx or base of the skull. Periosteal artery hypertrophy indicates extension of lesions, usually neoplasms, to the carotid canal. Vidian artery hypertrophy may occur with either neoplasms or collateral arterial demand between intracranial and extracranial circulations. Such collateral routes may have special relevance when interventional embolization procedures are being considered.