Mapping of Anatomic Variants of the Proximal Vertebral Artery in Relation to Embryology.
AJNR Am J Neuroradiol
; 44(8): 943-950, 2023 08.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37500289
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:
Variations in the origins and courses of the vertebral arteries are relatively rare but may be clinically meaningful. We hypothesize a relationship between variant origins of the vertebral arteries and their levels of entry to the foramina transversaria. MATERIALS ANDMETHODS:
In this retrospective study of CT angiograms, we document the frequency and types of vertebral artery variants, correlating origins with levels of entry to the foramina transversaria.RESULTS:
Vertebral artery variants were observed in 18.7% of a sample of 460 CT angiograms of the neck. Right-sided variants were less common than left (44.2% versus 68.6%, with 12.8% bilateral) and more common than previously thought. The most common variant on both sides was a variant origin proximal to the normal vertebral artery origin and entry at C5. Most right vertebral arteries originating within 2 cm of the origin of the right subclavian artery and left vertebral arteries originating between the left common carotid and subclavian arteries were "high-entry" variants. Most "low-entry" variants, entering at C7, took origin from the arch just distal to the left subclavian artery or at a common origin with the costocervical trunk. Multiple origins or accessory vertebral arteries were also described, and each moiety followed the same rules described for single origins. A map of vertebral artery origins mirrored the map of aortic arch embryology.CONCLUSIONS:
Vertebral artery variants follow certain well-defined patterns that correlate with the embryology of the aortic arch and great vessels.
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Artéria Subclávia
/
Artéria Vertebral
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2023
Tipo de documento:
Article