Prevalence of Persistent Median Arteries in the Pediatric Population on Ultrasonography

Abstract

Ultrasonography can effectively visualize anatomic variants, such as persistent median arteries, in the pediatric population. The prevalence of persistent median arteries was higher than anticipated, especially among African American patients.

Persistent Median Artery as an Unusual Finding in the Carpal Tunnel: Its Contribution to the Blood Supply of the Hand and Clinical Significance

“…The lower frequency of PMA in adults might be due to the fact that the median artery progressively regresses to become a satellite artery for the median nerve [13]. This assumption is in line with Carry et al research [30], which stated that for every 1-year increase in age, the odds of a persistent median artery decreased by 4.4%. Data regarding sexual dimorphism of PMA are ambiguous.…”

Persistent median artery may explain the transition from 11 to 12 meridians in ancient Chinese medicine

“…In mid 1800s, PMA was first found in the central line of forearm and wrist between the ulnar and radial arteries (Lucas et al, 2020). It has been well documented by the dissection of cadavers and hand operations (Coleman & Anson, 1961), as well as by MRI and ultrasound imaging examinations (Carry et al, 2018). Although PMA may vary in size and pattern of distribution, and may be either unilateral or bilateral, a significant portion of patients could present with a third PMA pulse in addition to the radial and ulnar arterial pulses commonly detected by clinicians in physical examination.…”

Ultrasound Findings in Less Frequent Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

“…17 A persistent median artery (PMA) is a common anatomic variation with a reported prevalence between 1% and 26% of the population. [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] A palmar-type PMA travels close to the MN inside the Figure 3 Images from a 53-year-old woman with CTS that worsened after palpation-guided corticosteroid injection with triamcinolone acetonide. Axial (A) and sagittal (B) sonograms of the CT show echogenic particulate matter (white arrowheads) within the radial aspect of the MN (black arrowheads) from the inadvertent intraneural injection of triamcinolone acetonide.…”

“…The median artery normally regresses at around 8 weeks' gestation 17 . A persistent median artery (PMA) is a common anatomic variation with a reported prevalence between 1% and 26% of the population 18‐25 . A palmar‐type PMA travels close to the MN inside the CT and is frequently associated with a bifid MN 18,20,25 .…”