Detachable latex balloon occlusion of an internal carotid artery with an aberrant branch in a horse with guttural pouch (auditory tube diverticulum) mycosis

An aberrant branch of the internal carotid artery was detected by angiograp hy in a horse with guttural pouch (auditory tube diverticulum) mycosis afte r the distal portion of the artery had been occluded by use of a detachable latex balloon. A second balloon was placed to eliminate retrograde hemorrh age from the aberrant branch. The horse recovered and returned to its previ ous activity. Vascular anomalies of the internal carotid artery may be more common than e xpected, and have resulted in fatal. complications during and after surgica l treatment of guttural pouch mycosis. Intraoperative identification of vas cular anomalies by use of angiography may avoid these fatal complications.