Proximal Branches of the Anterior Cerebral Artery: Anatomic Study and Applications to Endoscopic Endonasal Surgery.
Publication/Presentation Date
6-1-2019
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The endoscopic endonasal approach is a surgical alternative for midline anterior skull base tumors. A detailed understanding of the proximal anterior cerebral artery (ACA) branches' anatomy from an endonasal perspective is essential for avoiding vascular complications.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate, from an endonasal perspective, the anatomic variations of the ACA and its proximal branches, specifically the recurrent artery of Heubner (RAH), and the fronto-orbital (FOA) and frontopolar (FPA) arteries.
METHODS: We study the origin, course, branching pattern, diameter, and relationship between the proximal ACA branches and the optic apparatus and olfactory tract in 25 head specimens.
RESULTS: The RAH was present in all hemispheres and originated within 3 ± 1.5 mm of the AcomA, with a 0.4 ± 0.1 mm diameter. Based on its relationship with the A1 segment, we observed three RAH courses: anterior (40%), superior (22%), and posterior (38%). The FOA was present in all cases, a mean of 6 ± 4 mm from the AcomA, with a 0.7 ± 0.4 mm diameter. The FOA arose mainly from the A2 (70%), with three courses in relation to the olfactory tract: crossing its proximal third (54%), crossing its middle third (31%), and running parallel to it along the gyrus rectus (15%). The FPA was present in 92% of the hemispheres, a mean of 10 ± 5 mm from the AcomA, always arising from the A2 and coursing anteriorly within the interhemispheric fissure towards the frontal pole.
CONCLUSION: The RAH, FOA, and FPA can be differentiated by origin, course, and destination using the A1 segment, olfactory tract, and interhemispheric fissure, respectively, as surgical landmarks.
Volume
16
Issue
6
First Page
734
Last Page
742
ISSN
2332-4260
Published In/Presented At
Najera, E., Truong, H. Q., Belo, J. T. A., Borghei-Razavi, H., Gardner, P. A., & Fernandez-Miranda, J. (2019). Proximal Branches of the Anterior Cerebral Artery: Anatomic Study and Applications to Endoscopic Endonasal Surgery. Operative neurosurgery (Hagerstown, Md.), 16(6), 734–742. https://doi.org/10.1093/ons/opy308
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences
PubMedID
30649510
Department(s)
Department of Surgery, Fellows and Residents, Department of Surgery Residents
Document Type
Article