Persistent primitive hypoglossal artery and fenestration of posterior cerebral artery: CT and MR angiography

Persistence of a hypoglossal artery: case report

“…1,5 In terms of frequency, persistent hypoglossal artery is slightly more common among women on the left side, is the second most frequent carotid-basilar penetrates the hypoglossal canal at the base of the skull, ending at the artery basilar. 3,6 In the majority of cases it is associated with hypoplasia of the vertebral artery, and the posterior-inferior cerebellar artery may branch off from it, confirming the connection between the two during the embryonic period. 7 Diagnosis is by imaging methods.…”

“…8 Angiotomography has become the most common diagnostic method. 3 During investigation, bone landmarks are the best criteria for identifying whether the hypoglossal artery penetrates the base of the skull via the canal of the hypoglossal nerve. 1 The posterior part of the circle of Willis is inconstant because of hypoplasia of the vertebral arteries and the ipsilateral posterior communicating arteries when persistent hypoglossal artery is present.…”

“…2,3,6 In these cases, vascular compression may cause paralysis of the hypoglossal nerve (XII) and neuralgia of the glossopharyngeal nerve (IX). 4 Surgical approaches to the cervical portion of the internal carotid artery are simplified by the fact that it does not have any branches in this segment.…”

“…1 The hypoglossal artery originates from the extracranial internal carotid as a large lateral branch, which rises vertically and passes through the hypoglossal canal, continuing as the basilar artery. 2,3 Hypoplasia of the vertebral artery is frequently associated with a persistent hypoglossal artery, in which the hypoglossal artery maintains the blood flow of the vertebral artery. 1 In the majority of cases this anomaly is asymptomatic, but it may compress the XII and IX cranial nerve pairs, causing paralysis in the first and neuralgia in the second.…”

“…1 In the majority of cases this anomaly is asymptomatic, but it may compress the XII and IX cranial nerve pairs, causing paralysis in the first and neuralgia in the second. 3 Definitive diagnosis of this anatomic variant is accomplished using imaging exams and computed angiotomography is currently the most commonly used method. 4 …”