Bilateral variation in the branching pattern of the subclavian artery: an unusual finding with clinical implications

Abstract

The subclavian artery is a significant branch of the aortic arch. We present a rare case of a bilateral variation in the branching pattern of the subclavian artery, observed in an adult male cadaver aged 70 years. On both the sides of the neck, all the branches of the subclavian artery took their origin from its first part. There was a rare occurrence of a cervicodorsoscapular trunk, which gave rise to superficial cervical, suprascapular, and dorsal scapular arteries. The same branching pattern was observed on the left side of the neck, with the presence of another cervicodorsoscapular trunk. Thyrocervical trunk and transverse cervical artery were both absent from the cervical region bilaterally. The inferior thyroid artery was a direct branch from the subclavian artery. Knowledge regarding variations of the subclavian artery is very important as lateral cervical region arteries are important for flap harvesting in plastic and reconstruction surgery. Preoperative radiologic evaluation of pedicles might help in choosing the optimal flap design, prevent ischemic complications, and help to improve overall treatment outcomes.

An unusual cause of pocket hematoma: Injury to a superior thoracic artery branch

“…There is significant variability in the course of the branches of the axillary artery and no clear fluoroscopic landmarks as to their course. 4 , 5 In this case, the axillary vein was punctured at the lateral border of the first rib, a common site of venous access, and the pseudoaneurysm is seen to form near this site. Computed tomography angiography proved useful in our and other cases to diagnose the site of bleeding and imaging was not significantly affected by the presence of the pacemaker, supporting the use of this imaging modality to evaluate postdevice bleeding complications.…”

The dominance of dorsal scapular artery as the blood supply to muscles of the back in the absence of two primary vessels: a cadaveric case report

“…Takafjui et al further demonstrated that the TCA was absent in 15.3% of cases (22/144 sides of the neck) and in another 22 cases the TCA branched independently from the TCT and SA (15.3%) [ 5 ]. Another study by Kumar et al reported a bilateral absence of TCA on a single cadaveric specimen [ 12 ]. In our case, the TCA was absent on the right side of the neck from the TCT and from the SA completely without any independent branches from these vessels providing blood supply to the trapezius muscle.…”

“…Studies involving cadaveric neck dissections, computed tomography angiographies (CTA), and case reports have demonstrated variations in the branching of the TCT [ 1 , 3 – 7 ]. Studies have also reported anatomical variations of the SSA [ 8 – 11 ], TCA [ 5 , 12 ] and DSA [ 13 , 14 ]. However, the literature on the absence of the SSA and TCA is limited [ 5 ].…”