Aberrant ascending pharyngeal artery mimicking a partially occluded internal carotid artery.

Doppler sonography has become a primary imaging modality for the diagnosis of carotid arterial stenosis. Carotid stenting for a severely stenotic but not completely occluded carotid artery is becoming an alternative to carotid endarterectomy in selected groups of patients. The authors discuss a case of complete occlusion of the internal carotid artery associated with an ipsilateral aberrant ascending pharyngeal artery originating from the proximal internal carotid artery, which mimicked a stenotic internal carotid artery on sonography. Meticulous Doppler sonographic examination may provide clues for this extraordinary condition, yet angiography is indicated for a definite diagnosis.