https://doi.org/10.5812/iranjradiol.7809

Occipital Artery Arising from the Anterior Aspect of the Internal Carotid Artery Identified by Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography Angiography

authors:

avatar Toshinori Iwai 1 , * , avatar Toshiharu Izumi 2 , avatar Tomio Inoue 2 , avatar Jiro Maegawa 3 , avatar Nobukazu Fuwa 4 , avatar Kenji Mitsudo 1 , avatar Iwai Tohnai 1

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yokohama City, iwai104oams@yahoo.co.jp, Japan
Department of Radiology, University and Hospital of Yokohama City, Japan
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University and Hospital of Yokohama City, Japan
Department of Radiation Oncology, Southern Tohoku Proton Therapy Center, Southern Tohoku Research Institute of Neuroscience, Japan
Iranian Journal of Radiology: Vol.9, issue 2; 103-105
published online: June 30, 2012
article type: Case Report
received: July 9, 2011
accepted: April 21, 2012

how to cite: Iwai T, Izumi T, Inoue T, Maegawa J, Fuwa N, et al. Occipital Artery Arising from the Anterior Aspect of the Internal Carotid Artery Identified by Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography Angiography. I J Radiol. 2012;9(2): 103-105. https://doi.org/10.5812/iranjradiol.7809.

Abstract

Variation of the branches of the external carotid artery (ECA) is well known, but it is extremely rare for the occipital artery (OA) to arise from the internal carotid artery (ICA). A 87-year-old man was found to have this anatomical variation on the right side by threedimensional computed tomography angiography for vascular mapping of the carotid arteries before superselective intra-arterial catheterization for advanced tongue cancer. Imaging showed the OA arose from the anterior aspect of the right ICA with the origin located 8.8 mm distal from the carotid bifurcation. The inner diameter of the origin of the OA was 2.1 mm and the angle between the OA and the ICA was 62 degrees. It is important to recognize this anatomic variation of the branches of the ECA before head and neck microsurgical reconstruction or superselective intra-arterial chemotherapy for oral cancer.

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