Case Report: Variant Origin of an Arterial Trunk from Axillary Artery Continuing as Profunda Brachii Artery- A Unique Arterial Variation in the Axilla and its Clinical Implications

Abstract

BackgroundAxillary artery is known to show different variations mostly in its branching pattern. Similarly, the origin of profunda brachii is often encountered with abnormality. Therefore, when the vascular variations in the upper limb persist, mostly it is confined to its branching pattern followed by its variant origin. But, among all the reported variations of profunda brachii, its variant origin from the 3rd part of the axillary artery with common trunk for the branches of axillary artery is unique.Case DetailsWe report here an anomalous origin of profunda brachii as continuation of an arterial trunk arising from 3rd part of the axillary artery. This common trunk at its commencement passed between 2 roots of median nerve and gave branches of 3rd part of axillary artery before it continued as profunda brachii artery. The further course and branching pattern of profunda brachii were normal.ConclusionSince the axillary artery is next choice of artery for arterial canulation in cardiopulmonary bypass procedures, prior knowledge of existence of such variation in its branching pattern helps in avoiding possible diagnostic or interventional therapeutic errors.

The Study of Anatomical Variations of Axillary Artery - A Case Report

“…The vascular variations in the upper limb are fairly common and reported extensively (Naveen et al, 2014). The origin of a common trunk from axillary artery and giving rise to common circumflex humeralsubscapular trunk and than continuing as profonda brachii artery was observed by George et al, which is in agreement with our case.…”

“…But in our case main axillary artery gave branches from its first part and second part and branches of third part of axillary artery was given by the arterial trunk. Naveen et al, (2014) also observed the same arterial trunk including its course through median nerve roots and giving branches of third part of axillary artery.…”

A cadaveric study of anatomical variations of the normal arterial pattern in hellenic population

“…The incidence of double PBA has been reported to be 4% to 12% on various studies 22 , origin of PBA from posterior circumflex humeral (7%), origin of posterior circumflex humeral artery from PBA (16%) 23 . Agenesis of the brachial artery, profunda brachii artery has been noted 24 , while occasionally the subscapular, circumflex humeral, and profunda brachii arteries arise from a common trunk from the axillary artery ( Figure 2) [25][26][27] . We report an incidence of 6.8% of a PBA having a common trunk in its origin.…”

High origin of the radial artery (superficial brachialarterial artery):Presentation of 3 cases

“…Estas pueden presentarse en la arteria axilar, pudiendo este vaso ser doble o dividirse en arteria braquial superficial y profunda. En ocasiones la arteria axilar puede dar origen a la arteria braquial profunda o a las arterias radial y cubital (14)(15)(16)(17). Traumatismos abiertos e incluso cerrados como los ocasionados por el uso de muletas podrían dañar estos vasos anómalos, provocando isquemias o hematomas compresivos para el plexo braquial, con el consecuente daño neurológico (18).…”