Fig. 13

Persistent stapedial artery. Axial partitions, TOF sequence with selective venous flow suppression (a–c). A thin arterial structure (arrows) is seen close to the ICA (c) along the promontory (b) and along the tympanic segment of the facial nerve (a). CT of the brain (d,e): coronal multiplanar reformation (MPR) and native axial acquisition. A linear structure runs along the cochlear promontory (arrows), and the left foramen spinosum is absent (black arrowhead points to the right foramen, normally present). Findings are consistent with a persistent stapedial artery