Koji Yamashita1,2, Masahiro Yasaka3,4, Akira Uchino5,4, Tomoyuki Noguchi5,4. 1. Department of Radiology, Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyushu Medical Center, 1-8-1 Jigyohama, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka, 810-0065, Japan. yamakou@radiol.med.kyushu-u.ac.jp. 2. Department of Radiology, Saitama Sekishinkai Hospital, Saitama, Japan. yamakou@radiol.med.kyushu-u.ac.jp. 3. Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine and Neurology, Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyushu Medical Center, Fukuoka, Japan. 4. Department of Radiology, Saitama Sekishinkai Hospital, Saitama, Japan. 5. Department of Radiology, Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyushu Medical Center, 1-8-1 Jigyohama, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka, 810-0065, Japan.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Unilateral agenesis of the internal carotid artery (ICA) is a rare anatomical variant. We identified a case of unilateral ICA agenesis with interparaclinoid and contralateral carotid-ACA anastomoses. METHODS: A 65-year-old female with a long history of depressive episodes underwent MR imaging including MR angiography at National Hospital Organization Kyushu Medical Center. MR imaging was performed using a 3.0-T MR scanner to rule out vascular Parkinsonism, although drug-induced Parkinsonism was suspected from her medical history. RESULTS: The proximal left ICA was not visible on MR angiography, and an anterior communicating artery (ACoA) aneurysm was identified. The left middle cerebral artery was supplied from the right ICA via an interparaclinoid anastomosis. This interparaclinoid anastomosis showed no communication with the basilar, posterior communicating, or posterior cerebral arteries. A communicating artery connecting the interparaclinoid anastomosis and anterior cerebral artery (ACA) branched off from the presumed transition point between the interparaclinoid anastomosis and left ICA. Both right and left ophthalmic arteries (OAs) originated from the clinoid segment of the ICA. The communicating artery connecting the interparaclinoid anastomosis and ACA arose proximal to the left OA, and the communicating artery was identified as the carotid-ACA anastomosis. CONCLUSION: Neuroradiologists, physicians, and neurosurgeons need to be aware of this extremely unusual anatomical variant to determine appropriate treatment strategies in cases of aneurysmal growth or anterior cranial base surgery.
PURPOSE: Unilateral agenesis of the internal carotid artery (ICA) is a rare anatomical variant. We identified a case of unilateral ICA agenesis with interparaclinoid and contralateral carotid-ACA anastomoses. METHODS: A 65-year-old female with a long history of depressive episodes underwent MR imaging including MR angiography at National Hospital Organization Kyushu Medical Center. MR imaging was performed using a 3.0-T MR scanner to rule out vascular Parkinsonism, although drug-induced Parkinsonism was suspected from her medical history. RESULTS: The proximal left ICA was not visible on MR angiography, and an anterior communicating artery (ACoA) aneurysm was identified. The left middle cerebral artery was supplied from the right ICA via an interparaclinoid anastomosis. This interparaclinoid anastomosis showed no communication with the basilar, posterior communicating, or posterior cerebral arteries. A communicating artery connecting the interparaclinoid anastomosis and anterior cerebral artery (ACA) branched off from the presumed transition point between the interparaclinoid anastomosis and left ICA. Both right and left ophthalmic arteries (OAs) originated from the clinoid segment of the ICA. The communicating artery connecting the interparaclinoid anastomosis and ACA arose proximal to the left OA, and the communicating artery was identified as the carotid-ACA anastomosis. CONCLUSION: Neuroradiologists, physicians, and neurosurgeons need to be aware of this extremely unusual anatomical variant to determine appropriate treatment strategies in cases of aneurysmal growth or anterior cranial base surgery.