Computed tomography and magnetic resonance angiography in the evaluation of aberrant origin of the external carotid artery branches

Abstract

Aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of aberrant origin of the branches of the external carotid artery (ECA) in 97 patients by computed tomography (CTA) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and to compare the accuracy of these two techniques in the visualization of the ECA system. All patients underwent CTA and MRA examination of the head and neck. Multiplanar and volumetric reformations were obtained in all cases. For each set of images, the presence of aberrant origin of the branches of the external carotid artery was investigated. MRA and CTA images of each patient were compared to define their information content. Anatomical anomalies were found in 88 heminecks, with a prevalence of 53.3%. In the 61 patients in whom the CTA was performed before the MRA, the latter method showed only 92% of abnormalities detected at the first examination; in the 36 patients in whom MRA was performed first, CTA identified all of the anomalies highlighted by the former, adding 12 new. Knowledge of the anomalies of origin of the ECA branches is essential for the head and neck surgeon; the high prevalence of anomalies found in our series as in the previous studies indicates the opportunity to perform a CTA or a MRA of the head and neck before any surgical or interventional procedure. CTA is the method of choice in the evaluation of anomalies of origin of the branches of the ECA and in the definition of their course.

Detection of Anomalous Cervical Internal Carotid Artery Branches by Colour Duplex Ultrasound

“…Therefore, it was difficult to differentiate whether they were ECA branches with anomalous buds originating from the ICA, which ECA branch it was or whether they were primitive remnants. However, given the persistence of the proatlantal intersegmental artery is exceedingly rare (0.023%e1%), 15,39 it is plausible to suggest that the ICA branches detected in this study were more likely to be branches arising from ECA vascular buds.…”

Whole body magnetic resonance angiography and computed tomography angiography in the vascular mapping of head and neck: an intraindividual comparison

“…Unfortunately there exists just limited data on comparison CTA and MRA of the neck [24] and no studies existed that compared the branching of the external carotid artery visualized with whole body MRA to another imaging modality so far. Our study revealed that CTA was superior to MRA when all branches of the external carotid artery were assessed (p < .001).…”

Bilateral lingual–facial trunk: anatomic and clinical implications

“…Lingual-facial trunk is a relative rare variation, its incidence ranging between 7% and 20% [2,5]. Its morphometric characteristics have been only rarely described, usually in the context of a larger study.…”

“…Angiography is currently the "gold standard" for preoperative visualisation of cervical area vasculature yet other, less invasive modalities are of interest. Cappabianca et al [2] in a radiologic study successfully characterised cervical area arterial anatomic variations with the use of computed tomography angiography and magnetic resonance angiography. Except from describing some relative This is not the case in surgical emergencies, like uncontrolled intraoral bleeding since there is often inadequate time for radiological means.…”