Learning objectives
To provide brief overview of the development of cranial arterial anatomy.
To obtain a better understanding of some arterial anomalies.
To point out commonly encountered anatomial variatons that may have clinical significance.
Background
In the embryonic period severeal developmental anomalies of the cerebral arteries can occur.
During embryogenesis the brain vascular system continuously adapts the supply of oxygen and other nutrients to the needs of the parenchyma.
These changes often deviate from normal pathway and produce various anatomic variations.
Discussion of cerebral arterial development begins with the formation of the six pairs of primitive brachial arch arteries that either regress or are subject to modifications.
The aortic arches arise from the aortic sac,
course through the branchial arches,...
Imaging findings OR Procedure details
Schematic animations,
illustrations,
CT angiograms and MRI aniograms are used to illustrate development,
anatomy and variants of cerebral arteries.
Normal variations include fenestrations,
duplications,
variants of the circle of Willis,
persistent carotid-basilar anastomoses,
and other vascular anomaliesinthe skull base.
When assessing CT or MRI angiograms,
it is important to thinkabout normal variants,
their prevalence,
and their clinical relevance,
particularly with respect to the risk of aneurysm formation or surgical complications.
Imaging of variations:
There are some anomalies which can be depicted in several arteries and...
Conclusion
Understanding of cerebral arterial embryology is fundamental for anyone seriously involved in any field where neural vasculature plays a role.
Knowledge of the presence and clinical relevance of normal variants plays agreat role in surgical planning or assesing the risk of aneurysm formation.
References
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Padget DH,
The development of the cranial arteries in the human
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Raybaud C,
Normal and abnormal embryology and development of the intracranial vascular system,
Neurosurg Clin N Am.
2010 Jul;21(3):399-426.
doi: 10.1016/j.nec.2010.03.011.
3.
Kathuria S,
Gregg L,
Chen J,
Gandhi D,
Normal Cerebral Arterial Development and Variations,
Semin Ultrasound CT MR.
2011 Jun;32(3):242-51.
doi: 10.1053/j.sult.2011.02.002.
4.
Okahara M,
Kiyosue H,
Mori H,
Tanoue S,
Sainou M,
Nagatomi H,
Anatomic variations of the cerebral arteries and their embryology: a...
Personal Information
Beata A.
Feldman,
M.D.
/ Miedzyleski Specialistic Hospital in Warsaw,
AVI Diagnostic Imaging / Warsaw,
Poland.