Fenestration of the internal carotid artery: a rare mass of the hypotympanum associated with persistence of the stapedial artery.

Abstract

A 61-year-old woman was examined because of unilateral nonpulsatile tinnitus involving the right ear. CT scanning showed a soft-tissue mass in the hypotypanum. Angiographically, the mass was identified as a fenestrated or duplicated internal carotid artery associated with persistence of the stapedial artery. Embryologic considerations are discussed.