Interpretation of multi-detector computed tomography images before dissection may allow detection of vascular anomalies: a postmortem study of anomalous origin of the right subclavian artery and the right vertebral artery

Abstract

The Graduate School of Medicine at Chiba University is planning to introduce computed tomography (CT) images of donated cadavers to the gross anatomy laboratory. Here we describe an anomaly of the right subclavian artery that was detected by interpretation of CT images prior to dissection. The anomaly was verified to be the right subclavian artery, as the last branch of the aortic arch, by subsequent dissection of the cadaver. We also identified an anomalous origin of the right vertebral artery by dissection. This anomaly was also visible on CT images, although it had not been recognized in the first interpretation of the CT images. Our results suggest that branching anomalies of arteries with a diameter of >1 cm are detectable on CT images even without the injection of contrast medium. We also discuss the utility of interpreting CT images prior to dissection as a means by which medical students can gain a better understanding of human body during the gross anatomy laboratory.

A case of retroesophageal right subclavian artery, with special reference to the second intercostal artery, retroesophageal right vertebral artery, and thoracic duct

“…However, studies on such cases have often been reported (Hasebe, 1912;Adachi, 1928;Kasai, 1979). For example, Chiba et al (1981) summarized the findings in 94 of such cases reported in Japan and, recently, Sakamoto et al (2012) detected a case based on CT images before dissection, and they verified it on dissection. Developmentally, Barry's explanation (1951) has been widely accepted.…”