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Two cases of combined anatomical variations: maxillofacial trunk, vertebral, posterior communicating and anterior cerebral atresia, linguofacial and labiomental trunks
, 2, 2, 3
Affiliations- Division of Anatomy, Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timişoara, Romania
- Department of Functional Sciences, Discipline of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania
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Abstract
Background: Commonly, arterial anatomic variants are reported as single entities. However, different such variants can occur in a single patient.
Materials and methods: During a retrospective study of computed tomography angiograms of 52 adult patients, 2 cases were found with unilateral maxillofacial trunks. In each case different other anatomic variants were documented.
Results: The maxillofacial trunk in the first case was associated with bilateral posterior kinks of the internal carotid artery which passed beyond the transverse processes of the atlas vertebra and indented and displaced the internal jugular veins. Common carotid origins of the superior thyroid arteries were found, as well as a high origin of the contralateral facial artery. In the second case a plethora of variants were associated with a unilateral maxillofacial trunk: 1) direct occipital-vertebral arterial anastomosis; 2) ipsilateral atresia of the distal vertebral artery and of the A1 segment of the anterior cerebral artery; 3) bilateral atresia of posterior communicating arteries; 4) linguofacial and labiomental trunks; 5) terminal trifurcation of the external carotid artery.
Conclusions: The arterial anatomical variants of the head and neck should be carefully documented prior to specific surgical and interventional procedures, as well as for understanding the compensatory anatomical pathways of circulatory insufficiencies.
Abstract
Background: Commonly, arterial anatomic variants are reported as single entities. However, different such variants can occur in a single patient.
Materials and methods: During a retrospective study of computed tomography angiograms of 52 adult patients, 2 cases were found with unilateral maxillofacial trunks. In each case different other anatomic variants were documented.
Results: The maxillofacial trunk in the first case was associated with bilateral posterior kinks of the internal carotid artery which passed beyond the transverse processes of the atlas vertebra and indented and displaced the internal jugular veins. Common carotid origins of the superior thyroid arteries were found, as well as a high origin of the contralateral facial artery. In the second case a plethora of variants were associated with a unilateral maxillofacial trunk: 1) direct occipital-vertebral arterial anastomosis; 2) ipsilateral atresia of the distal vertebral artery and of the A1 segment of the anterior cerebral artery; 3) bilateral atresia of posterior communicating arteries; 4) linguofacial and labiomental trunks; 5) terminal trifurcation of the external carotid artery.
Conclusions: The arterial anatomical variants of the head and neck should be carefully documented prior to specific surgical and interventional procedures, as well as for understanding the compensatory anatomical pathways of circulatory insufficiencies.
Keywords
vertebral artery, carotid artery, circle of Willis, maxillary artery, facial artery
About this articleTitle
Two cases of combined anatomical variations: maxillofacial trunk, vertebral, posterior communicating and anterior cerebral atresia, linguofacial and labiomental trunks
Journal
Issue
Article type
Case report
Pages
237-246
Published online
2021-01-29
Page views
6311
Article views/downloads
1458
DOI
Pubmed
Bibliographic record
Folia Morphol 2022;81(1):237-246.
Keywords
vertebral artery
carotid artery
circle of Willis
maxillary artery
facial artery
Authors
M. C. Rusu
A. M. Jianu
M. D. Monea
A. C. Ilie
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