scholarly journals Anatomical variations of the superior cerebellar artery: A cadaveric study at the University Teaching Hospitals, Lusaka, Zambia

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 1789-1796
Author(s):  
Mickey Banda ◽  
Caswell Hachabizwa ◽  
Joseph Hainza ◽  
Sikhanyiso Mutemwa ◽  
Krikor Erzingastian

The superior cerebellar artery usually arises from the terminal end of the basilar artery. It may also originate from the posterior cerebral artery and or from a common trunk with the posterior cerebral artery. The anatomical variations of superior cerebellar artery show ethnic differences, but there are few reports on African populations in particular none from Zambia. Variations of the superior cerebellar artery might cause compression symptoms of cranial nerves III, IV and V. Furthermore, the presence of such variations has been considered to be a factor in the aetiology of  aneurysms and thrombus formation leading to cerebellar infarcts. The objectives of the study were to explore anatomical variations on the origin of the superior cerebellar artery; to measure the outer diameter at its origin and the length of superior cerebellar artery to its first bifurcation; to establish the presence of duplication , triplication , hypoplasia , agenesis , fenestration and any other anomalies that were detectable. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study in which 46 post-mortem human cadaveric brains were systematically sampled. A total of 113 superior cerebellar arteries were identified in 42 male and four female cadavers of age ranging between 18 and 65 years (mean 34.05±9.237mm). Superior cerebellar artery arose from the basilar artery as a single vessel in 49.5%, the common trunk arose in 6.2% and posterior cerebral artery origin was seen in 5.7%. Overall duplication of the superior cerebellar artery was seen in 35.5% and triplication in 5.3%. Nineteen (16.8%) of the superior cerebellar arteries were hypoplastic (less than 1mm) and ninety-four (83.2%) were normal. The diameter of the superior cerebellar artery at its origin ranged 0.25mm to 2.48mm (mean 1.42±0.54mm). The length of the superior cerebellar artery to its first bifurcation ranged from 3.77mm to 33.53mm (mean 21.92±7.40mm). Statistically, gender had no significant association of superior cerebellar artery variations (p>0.05). This knowledge will improvediagnosis and management of patients with vascular disorders of the posterior circulation. The newly identified patterns could be a contribution to the SCA classification system. Key words: Superior cerebellar artery, duplication, triplication and hypoplasia

2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (videosuppl1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Omar Choudhri ◽  
Michael T. Lawton

The middle tentorial incisural space, located lateral to the midbrain and medial to the temporal lobe, contains the ambient cistern through which courses the third, fourth, and fifth cranial nerves, posterior cerebral artery (PCA), superior cerebellar artery, and the choroidal arteries. Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in this compartment are supplied by the thalamogeniculate and posterior temporal branches of the PCA, and drain into tributaries of the basal vein of Rosenthal. We present a case of an AVM in this middle tentorial incisural space that persisted after embolization and radiosurgery, and was microsurgically resected through a subtemporal approach. This case demonstrates the anatomy of the middle incisural space and technical aspects in microsurgical resection of these rare AVMs.The video can be found here: https://youtu.be/V-dIWh8ys3E.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. E564-E565 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco A. Zanini ◽  
Vitor M. Pereira ◽  
Mauricio Jory ◽  
José G.M.P. Caldas

Abstract OBJECTIVE A giant fusiform aneurysm in the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) is rare, as is fenestration of the PCA and basilar apex variation. We describe the angiographic and surgical findings of a giant fusiform aneurysm in the P1–P2 PCA segment associated with PCA bilateral fenestration and superior cerebellar artery double origin. CLINICAL PRESENTATION A 26-year-old woman presented with a 2-month history of visual blurring. Digital subtraction angiography showed a giant (2.5 cm) fusiform PCA aneurysm in the right P1–P2 segment. The 3-dimensional view showed a caudal fusion pattern from the upper portion of the basilar artery associated with a bilateral long fenestration of the P1 and P2 segments and superior cerebellar artery double origin. INTERVENTION Surgical trapping of the right P1–P2 segment, including the posterior communicating artery, was performed by a pretemporal approach. Angiograms performed 3 and 13 months after surgery showed complete aneurysm exclusion, and the PCA was permeated and filled the PCA territory. Clinical follow-up at 14 months showed the patient with no deficits and a return to normal life. CONCLUSION To our knowledge, this is the first report of a giant fusiform aneurysm of the PCA associated with P1–P2 segment fenestration and other variations of the basilar apex (bilateral superior cerebellar artery duplication and caudal fusion). Comprehension of the embryology and anatomy of the PCA and its related vessels and branches is fundamental to the decision-making process for a PCA aneurysm, especially when parent vessel occlusion is planned.


2018 ◽  
Vol 129 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Tayebi Meybodi ◽  
Michael T. Lawton ◽  
Dylan Griswold ◽  
Pooneh Mokhtari ◽  
Andre Payman ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVEIn various disease processes, including unclippable aneurysms, a bypass to the upper posterior circulation (UPC) including the superior cerebellar artery (SCA) and posterior cerebral artery (PCA) may be needed. Various revascularization options exist, but the role of intracranial (IC) donors has not been scrutinized. The objective of this study was to evaluate the anatomical feasibility of utilizing the anterior temporal artery (ATA) for revascularization of the UPC.METHODSATA-SCA and ATA-PCA bypasses were performed on 14 cadaver specimens. After performing an orbitozygomatic craniotomy and opening the basal cisterns, the ATA was divided at the M3-M4 junction and mobilized to the crural cistern to complete an end-to-side bypass to the SCA and PCA. The length of the recipient artery between the anastomosis and origin was measured.RESULTSSeventeen ATAs were found. Successful anastomosis was performed in 14 (82%) of the ATAs. The anastomosis point on the PCA was 14.2 mm from its origin on the basilar artery. The SCA anastomosis point was 10.1 mm from its origin. Three ATAs did not reach the UPC region due to a common opercular origin with the middle temporal artery. The ATA-SCA bypass was also applied to the management of an incompletely coiled SCA aneurysm.CONCLUSIONSThe ATA is a promising IC donor for UPC revascularization. The ATA is exposed en route to the proximal SCA and PCA through the pterional-orbitozygomatic approach. Also, the end-to-side anastomosis provides an efficient and straightforward bypass without the need to harvest a graft or perform multiple or difficult anastomoses.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. A. Gunnal ◽  
M. S. Farooqui ◽  
R. N. Wabale

Objective. Basilar artery (BA) terminates in right and left posterior cerebral arteries (PCAs). Each PCA supplies respective occipital lobe of the cerebrum. The present study is designed to know the morphology, morphometry, branching pattern, and symmetry of PCA. Methods. The study included 340 PCAs dissected from 170 human cadaveric brains. Results. Morphological variations of P1 segment included, aplasia (2.35%), hypoplasia (5.29%), duplication (2.35%), fenestration (1.17%), and common trunk shared with SCA (1.76%). Morphological variations of origin of P2 segment included direct origin of it from BA (1.17%) and ICA (2.35%). Unusually, two P2 segments, each arising separately from BA and ICA, were observed in 1.17%. Unilateral two P2 segments from CW were found in 0.58%. Morphological variations of course of P2 were duplication (0.58%), fenestration (0.58%), and aneurysm (1.76%). Unilateral P2 either adult or fetal was seen in 4.71%. The group II branching pattern was found to be most common. Asymmetry of P2 was 40%. Morphometry of P2 revealed mean length of 52 mm and mean diameter of 2.7 mm. Conclusion. The present study provides the complete anatomical description of PCA regarding morphology, morphometry, symmetry, and its branching pattern. Awareness of these variations is likely to be useful in cerebrovascular procedures.


2008 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. E3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel Zada ◽  
J. Diaz Day ◽  
Steven L. Giannotta

Object The extradural temporopolar approach is used for enhanced exposure of the cavernous sinus and petroclival regions in the treatment of complex lesions not amenable to sole treatment via radiosurgical or endovascular methods. The authors' objective was to review the indications, surgical experience, and operative technique in a series of patients who underwent surgery with this approach. Methods The authors conducted a retrospective review to identify patients who underwent a temporopolar approach from 1992 to 2008. An orbitozygomatic craniotomy was frequently used, followed by extradural retraction of the temporal lobe. A sequential progression of bone removal at the anterior and middle skull base, followed by opening the layers of the lateral wall of the cavernous sinus was next performed to safely retract the brain and widen the exposure to the cavernous sinus, interpeduncular fossa, and upper petroclival regions. Results Sixty-six patients were identified and included in the study. The mean patient age was 49 years. The main indications for surgery were as follows: meningioma (25 patients, 38%), basilar artery aneurysm (11 patients, 17%), trigeminal schwannoma (7 patients, 11%), chordoma (5 patients, 7%), hemangioma (3 patients, 5%), pituitary adenoma (3 patients, 5%), superior cerebellar artery aneurysm (3 patients, 5%), and other lesions (9 patients, 14%). Complications included hemiparesis in 4 patients (6%), infarcts in 4 patients (6%), transient aphasia in 1 patient (1.5%), and cranial nerve paresis in 20 patients (30%). Conclusions The extradural temporopolar approach offers a relatively safe and wide exposure of the sphenocavernous and petroclival regions. Mobilization of the cranial nerves and internal carotid artery allow gentle brain retraction and maximal preservation of venous outflow. This is an advantageous approach to large tumors in these regions and for complex upper basilar artery or superior cerebellar artery aneurysms.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 158
Author(s):  
LR Moscote-Salazar ◽  
M Zenteno ◽  
HR Alvis-Miranda ◽  
A Rojas ◽  
A Lee

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