Facial paralysis with absence of internal and external carotid arteries.

A case is reported of congenital facial nerve palsy associated with ipsilateral absence of internal and external carotid ateries. Exploration of the facial nerve in the temporal bone was thwarted because of excessive soft tissue bleeding in the mastoid tip area. Angiography subsequently demonstrated the vascular anomaly with a rich collateral vasculature arising from the external carotid artery on the normal side.