Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy 6/2013

01-08-2013 | Original Article

Anatomical variations in branching pattern of arcus aorta: 64-slice CTA appearance

Authors: Elif Ergun, Betül Şimşek, Pınar Nercis Koşar, Behice Kaniye Yılmaz, Ahmet Tuncay Turgut

Published in: Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy | Issue 6/2013

Login to get access

Abstract

Purpose

To review the 64-slice CTA (computed tomography angiography) appearance of anatomical variations in branching pattern of the arcus aorta, and to determine their prevalence in 1001 cases.

Materials and methods

1001 cases that underwent carotid CTA (performed by a 64-slice scanner) were included in the study.

Results

Seven types of aortic arch were found. In 853 cases (853/1001, 85.2 %) classical branching pattern of arcus aorta (three branches; TB, LCC, LS) was observed. Variations were present in 147 cases (147/1001, 14.7 %). One case (1/1001, 0.1 %) had right aortic arch. The most frequent variation was origination of LCC from TB (arch with 2 branches, TB with LCC and LS) which was observed in 78 cases (78/1001, 7.8 %). Origination of LV directly from the aortic arch (four branches; TB, LCC, LV, LS or TB, LCC, LS, LV) was observed in 51 cases (51/1001, 5.1 %). In two cases (2/1001, 0.2 %) truncus bicaroticus (3 branches; RS, common trunk for carotids, LS) was present. In seven cases (7/1001, 0.7 %) aortic arch had four branches in the order of RCC, RS, LCC and LS. In one case (1/1001, 0.1 %) left truncus brachiocephalicus (three branches; RS, RCC, LTB) was present. Seven cases (7/1001, 0.7 %) had aberrant RS (RCC, LCC, LS, RS).

Conclusion

Variations in branching pattern of arcus aorta are not rare and being aware of them before surgical and interventional procedures of this region is important. CTA can depict the anatomical features of the aortic arch and is valuable as a road map.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Abbot FC (1892) Specimen of right aortic arch. J Anat 26:13–15 Abbot FC (1892) Specimen of right aortic arch. J Anat 26:13–15
2.
go back to reference Adachi B (1928) Das arteriensystem der Japaner, vol 1. Kenkyusha, Kyoto, pp 29–41 Adachi B (1928) Das arteriensystem der Japaner, vol 1. Kenkyusha, Kyoto, pp 29–41
3.
go back to reference Albayram S, Gailloud P, Wasserman AB (2002) Bilateral arch origin of the vertebral arteries. Am J Neuroradiol 23:455–458PubMed Albayram S, Gailloud P, Wasserman AB (2002) Bilateral arch origin of the vertebral arteries. Am J Neuroradiol 23:455–458PubMed
4.
go back to reference Cairney J (1925) The anomalous right subclavian artery considered in the light of recent findings in arterial development; with a note on two cases of an unusual relation of the innominate artery to the trachea. J Anat 50:265–296 Cairney J (1925) The anomalous right subclavian artery considered in the light of recent findings in arterial development; with a note on two cases of an unusual relation of the innominate artery to the trachea. J Anat 50:265–296
5.
go back to reference De Garis CF, Black IH, Riemenscheider EA (1933) Patterns of the aortic arch in American White and Negro stocks, with comparative notes on certain other mammals. J Anat 67:599–619PubMed De Garis CF, Black IH, Riemenscheider EA (1933) Patterns of the aortic arch in American White and Negro stocks, with comparative notes on certain other mammals. J Anat 67:599–619PubMed
6.
go back to reference Edwards JE (1953) Malformations of the aortic arch system manifested as “vascular rings”. Lab Investig 2:56–75PubMed Edwards JE (1953) Malformations of the aortic arch system manifested as “vascular rings”. Lab Investig 2:56–75PubMed
7.
go back to reference Felson B, Palayew MJ (1963) Two types of right aortic arch. Radiology 81:745–775PubMed Felson B, Palayew MJ (1963) Two types of right aortic arch. Radiology 81:745–775PubMed
8.
go back to reference Goray VB, Joshi AR, Garg A, Merchant S, Yadav B, Maheshwari P (2005) Aortic arch variation: a unique case with anomalous origin of both vertebral arteries as additional branches of the aortic arch distal to left subclavian artery. Am J Neuroradiol 26:93–95PubMed Goray VB, Joshi AR, Garg A, Merchant S, Yadav B, Maheshwari P (2005) Aortic arch variation: a unique case with anomalous origin of both vertebral arteries as additional branches of the aortic arch distal to left subclavian artery. Am J Neuroradiol 26:93–95PubMed
9.
go back to reference Jakanani GC, Adair W (2010) Frequency of variations in aortic arch anatomy depicted on Multidetector CT. Clin Radiol 65:481–487PubMedCrossRef Jakanani GC, Adair W (2010) Frequency of variations in aortic arch anatomy depicted on Multidetector CT. Clin Radiol 65:481–487PubMedCrossRef
10.
go back to reference Keith A (1895) The modes of origin of the carotid and subclavian arteries from the arch of the aorta in some of the higher primates. J Anat Physiol 29:453–458PubMed Keith A (1895) The modes of origin of the carotid and subclavian arteries from the arch of the aorta in some of the higher primates. J Anat Physiol 29:453–458PubMed
11.
go back to reference Kendi ATK, Brace JR (2009) Vertebral artery duplication and aneurysms: 64-slice multidetector CT findings. British J Radiol 82:e216–e218CrossRef Kendi ATK, Brace JR (2009) Vertebral artery duplication and aneurysms: 64-slice multidetector CT findings. British J Radiol 82:e216–e218CrossRef
12.
go back to reference Layton KF, Kallmes DF, Cloft HJ et al (2006) Bovine aortic arch variant in humans: clarification of a common misnomer. AJNR 27:1541–1542PubMed Layton KF, Kallmes DF, Cloft HJ et al (2006) Bovine aortic arch variant in humans: clarification of a common misnomer. AJNR 27:1541–1542PubMed
13.
go back to reference Lemke A, Benndorf G, Liebig T, Felix R (1999) Anomalous origin of the right vertebral artery: review of the literature and case report of right vertebral artery origin distal to the left subclavian artery. AJNR 20:1318–1321PubMed Lemke A, Benndorf G, Liebig T, Felix R (1999) Anomalous origin of the right vertebral artery: review of the literature and case report of right vertebral artery origin distal to the left subclavian artery. AJNR 20:1318–1321PubMed
14.
go back to reference Liechty JD, Shields TW, Anson BJ (1957) Variations pertaining to the aortic arches and their branches. Q Bull Northwest Univ Med Sch 31:136–143PubMed Liechty JD, Shields TW, Anson BJ (1957) Variations pertaining to the aortic arches and their branches. Q Bull Northwest Univ Med Sch 31:136–143PubMed
15.
go back to reference McDonald JJ, Anson BJ (1940) Variations in the origin of arteries derived from the aortic arch, in American whites and negroes. Am J Phys Anthropol 27:91–107CrossRef McDonald JJ, Anson BJ (1940) Variations in the origin of arteries derived from the aortic arch, in American whites and negroes. Am J Phys Anthropol 27:91–107CrossRef
16.
go back to reference Natsis KI, Tsitouridis IA, Didagelos MV, Fillipidis AA, Vlasis KG, Tsikaras PD (2009) Anatomical variations in the branches of the human aortic arch in 633 angiographies: clinical significance and literature review. Surg Radiol Anat 31:319–323PubMedCrossRef Natsis KI, Tsitouridis IA, Didagelos MV, Fillipidis AA, Vlasis KG, Tsikaras PD (2009) Anatomical variations in the branches of the human aortic arch in 633 angiographies: clinical significance and literature review. Surg Radiol Anat 31:319–323PubMedCrossRef
17.
go back to reference Nelson M, Sparks C (2001) Unusual aortic arch variation: distal origin of common carotid arteries. Clin Anat 14:62–65PubMedCrossRef Nelson M, Sparks C (2001) Unusual aortic arch variation: distal origin of common carotid arteries. Clin Anat 14:62–65PubMedCrossRef
18.
go back to reference Nizankowski C, Rajchel Z, Ziolkowksi M (1975) Abnormal origin of arteries from the aortic arch in man. Folia Morphol (Warsz) 34:109–116 Nizankowski C, Rajchel Z, Ziolkowksi M (1975) Abnormal origin of arteries from the aortic arch in man. Folia Morphol (Warsz) 34:109–116
19.
go back to reference Quain R (1844) Anatomy of the arteries of the human body. Taylor & Walton, London, pp 538–543 Quain R (1844) Anatomy of the arteries of the human body. Taylor & Walton, London, pp 538–543
20.
go back to reference Shuford WH, Sybers RG, Edwards FK (1970) The three types of right aortic arch. Am J Roentgenol Radium Ther Nucl Med 109:67–74PubMedCrossRef Shuford WH, Sybers RG, Edwards FK (1970) The three types of right aortic arch. Am J Roentgenol Radium Ther Nucl Med 109:67–74PubMedCrossRef
21.
go back to reference Thomson A (1893) Variation in the arrangement of the branches arising from the arch of the aorta. J Anat Physiol 27:189–192 Thomson A (1893) Variation in the arrangement of the branches arising from the arch of the aorta. J Anat Physiol 27:189–192
22.
go back to reference Turkvatan A, Buyukbayraktar FG, Olçer T et al (2009) congenital anomalies of the aortic arch: evaluation with the use of multidetector computed tomography. Korean J Radiol 10:176–184PubMedCrossRef Turkvatan A, Buyukbayraktar FG, Olçer T et al (2009) congenital anomalies of the aortic arch: evaluation with the use of multidetector computed tomography. Korean J Radiol 10:176–184PubMedCrossRef
23.
go back to reference Wang K, Zhang M, Sun J et al (2011) A right-left aortic arch pattern made up by a bicarotid trunk, a left subclavian, a left vertebral and a right retroesophageal subclavian artery. Surg Radiol Anat 33(10):937–940PubMedCrossRef Wang K, Zhang M, Sun J et al (2011) A right-left aortic arch pattern made up by a bicarotid trunk, a left subclavian, a left vertebral and a right retroesophageal subclavian artery. Surg Radiol Anat 33(10):937–940PubMedCrossRef
24.
go back to reference Wangermez J., Bonjean P (1978) Variations raciales dans l’origine des branches de la crosse de l’aorte. In: Bulletins et Mémoires de la Société d’anthropologie de Paris, XIII° Série, tome 5 fascicule 2, pp 179–188 Wangermez J., Bonjean P (1978) Variations raciales dans l’origine des branches de la crosse de l’aorte. In: Bulletins et Mémoires de la Société d’anthropologie de Paris, XIII° Série, tome 5 fascicule 2, pp 179–188
26.
go back to reference Williams GD, Edmonds HW (1935) Variations in arrangement of branches arising from the aortic arch in American whites and negroes. Anat Rec 62I:139–146CrossRef Williams GD, Edmonds HW (1935) Variations in arrangement of branches arising from the aortic arch in American whites and negroes. Anat Rec 62I:139–146CrossRef
Metadata
Title
Anatomical variations in branching pattern of arcus aorta: 64-slice CTA appearance
Authors
Elif Ergun
Betül Şimşek
Pınar Nercis Koşar
Behice Kaniye Yılmaz
Ahmet Tuncay Turgut
Publication date
01-08-2013
Publisher
Springer Paris
Published in
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy / Issue 6/2013
Print ISSN: 0930-1038
Electronic ISSN: 1279-8517
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-012-1063-3

Other articles of this Issue 6/2013

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy 6/2013 Go to the issue