Morphological Characteristics of the Superior Cerebellar Artery/ Морфолошки Карактеристики На Горната Церебеларна Артерија

Abstract

With the introduction of new techniques in diagnostic and interventional radiology and progress in micro neurosurgery, accurate knowledge of the brain blood vessels is essential for daily clinical work. The aim of this study was to describe the morphological characteristics of the superior cerebellar artery and to emphasize their clinical significance. In this study we examined radiographs of 109 patients who had CT angiography at the University Clinic for Radiology in Skopje, R. Macedonia. This study included 49 females and 60 males, ranging in age from 27 to 83 years; mean age 57.4 ± 11.8 years. In 105 patients SCA arose from the basilar artery on both sides as a single vessel. In two patients SCA arose as a duplicate trunk from the basilar artery. We found unilateral duplication on the right SCA in one patient, and bilateral duplication in one patient. In two patients was noticed origin of the SCA from PCA as a single trunk from adult type of the PCA. Through knowledge of the anatomy and variations of SCA is important for clinicians as well as basic scientists who deal with problems related to intracranial vasculature in daily basis for save performance of diagnostic and interventional procedures.

The Vertebrobasilar Trunk and Its Anatomical Variants: A Microsurgical Anatomical Study

“…The call for a more detailed and nuanced anatomical understanding is clear. Surgeons and clinicians require access to comprehensive morphometric data and a deeper appreciation of the variability in vascular anatomy to navigate the delicate procedures of the posterior fossa successfully, thereby minimizing surgical risk and improving patient outcomes [ 20 ]. However, numerous variations in the caliber and course of posterior fossa arteries have been noted and described [ 20 , 21 ], all of which have emphasized the precise neurovascular relationships and anatomical features of the arteries in this region [ 22 ].…”

Bilateral duplicated hypoplastic superior cerebellar arteries one of which originates from a full-type fetal posterior cerebral artery

“…Brain surgery requires perfect knowledge of the pertinent vascular anatomy [3]. Thus, the evaluation of cerebellar arteries is of great interest [8].…”

“…The SCA is the most consistent infratentorial vessel. However, several of its variations have been described [1,3]. These include duplication, triplication, and extraordinary origin [1].…”

“…These include duplication, triplication, and extraordinary origin [1]. These variants are of utmost clinical value [3,5]. First, the extraordinary origin and duplication of the SCA may provoke neurovascular con icts by compressing III, IV, and V cranial nerves [2,5].…”

“…Second, the SCA variant increases the risk of aneurysm and may be the site of thrombosis, which leads to cerebellar infarction [2]. In addition, duplication is used in revascularization and arterial bypass [3,7] and prevents ischemic events by providing alternative circulation [2]. Thus, surgeons and radiologists must know of such variants before surgical or interventional procedures to get more precision and avoid pitfalls [4,7].…”