[Eighteen cases of tortuosity of the internal carotid--usefulness of MR-angiography in diagnosis].

There have been few reports on tortuosity of the internal carotid exhibiting pulsation or swelling in the pharyngeal wall. Because this disease carries the risk of causing massive hemorrhage at the time of incision of a peritonsillar abscess, surgical treatment of the adenoids, or tonsillectomy, otolaryngologists should be aware of the existence of this disorder as a risk factor. We encountered tortuosity of the internal carotid in the pharynx in 18 cases over an approximately two year period. Females (15 cases) outnumbered males (3 cases), and the mean age was 68 years at the time of diagnosis. There was no right-to-left difference in terms of the incidence of the disease. The complication of hypertension was noted in 10 cases. MR-Angiography (MRA) was performed in 13 cases, and very clear images were obtained; this technique was useful for diagnosing this disorder. For the most part, contrast angiography has been employed for the diagnosis of this disorder, but various complications, including deaths, have been reported. As the incidence of tortuosity of the internal carotid is high in the elderly, it is thought that any complication which may occur has the potential to become serious. Non-invasive diagnostic techniques are thus recommended. MRA is absolutely non-invasive, and we therefore believe that this technique should be the modality of first choice for diagnosing tortuosity of the internal carotid.