Keywords: Aberrant carotid, vascular tumor, middle ear

Abstract: The authors reviewed the literature on the etiology and differential diagnosis of the aberrant internal carotid artery and reported one case of this rare abnormality. They call attention to the importance of a correct diagnosis to avoid surgical surprises with the possibility of disruption of the carotid. Correct diagnosis is better achieved through a computed tomography, especially through an helicoidal tomography.