DOI: https://doi.org/10.36347/sjmcr.2025.v13i10.107

Pages: 2633-2637

Introduction: The internal carotid artery (ICA), with its complex course and close anatomical relationships, is particularly exposed to the risk of severe intraoperative injury. Thorough knowledge of its variations is essential for surgical safety, especially in endoscopic skull base surgery. The novelty of this work lies in the fact that it represents the first study using CT angiography to characterize anatomical variations of the ICA, which gives this research particular significance. Objective: To evaluate the morphological variations of the intracranial ICA using CT angiography and analyze their surgical implications. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective descriptive study of 10 patients (20 ICAs) who underwent cerebral CT angiography. The analyzed parameters included diameter, length, curvature angles, distance to the pituitary gland, inter-carotid distance, and the presence of anastomoses or agenesis. Results: The mean age was 67.8 years, with 80% male patients. The main indications were stroke and myocardial infarction. Minimal intra-individual variability in ICA diameter was observed. Curvature angles and distances to adjacent structures proved to be key factors in assessing operative risk.