A rare branching pattern of the aortic arch in a female cadaver is reported. An aberrant right subclavian artery originated from the distal part of the aortic arch and following a retroesophageal course was recognized. Next to it, from the left to the right, the left subclavian artery and a short bicarotid trunk originating the left and the right common carotid artery were recognized. An unusual origin of the vertebral arteries was also identified. The left vertebral artery originated directly from the aortic arch, whereas the right vertebral artery originated directly from the right common carotid artery. Retroesophageal right subclavian artery associated with a bicarotid trunk and ectopic origin of vertebral arteries represents an exceptional and noteworthy case.

Background A landmark for the identification of the lingual artery (LA) through a transoral perspective can provide surgeons with an easy method to prevent and manage intraoperative bleeding during transoral approach to the base of tongue (BOT). Methods Thirteen tongue and five head and neck specimens were dissected to identify and assess the reliability of the lingual point (LP) as a new landmark for the LA at BOT. The pathway of 42 LAs was radiologically evaluated; axial depth and vertical offset were measured for each LA. Results Dissection study: a description of LP is provided; the LA was easily identified in all specimens (36/36 sides) using LP as a landmark. Radiologic study: the mean depth of the LA was 4.2 mm, the mean vertical offset was 1.3 mm. Conclusions LP is a simple and reliable landmark for identification of the LA, potentially helping surgeons to prevent and manage intraoperative bleeding.

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Invasion of the internal carotid artery (ICA) has been historically considered a criterion of non‐resectability of skull base cancer (SBC). Patients affected by SBC who underwent surgery including resection of ICA at two tertiary institutions were included. Demographics, oncologic, and surgical information, complications, and survival outcomes were retrospectively reviewed. Survival outcomes were calculated. Ten patients were included. Three surgical approaches (transnasal endoscopic, transorbital, and transpetrosal) were employed to resect the invaded/abutted tract(s) of the ICA. All patients underwent ICA temporary balloon occlusion test. In two patients, an extracranial‐to‐intracranial arterial bypass was harvested. Major neuromorbidity was observed in two patients. Perioperative mortality of the series was 10.0%. Mean overall survival was 27.2 months, with 2‐year overall and progression‐free survival rate of 88.9%. ICA resection is feasible as part of the ablation performed for very advanced SBCs. Survival outcomes are acceptable in adequately selected patients.