Azygos anterior cerebral artery

Changed by Daniel J Bell, 30 Aug 2022
Disclosures - updated 19 Aug 2022: Nothing to disclose

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An azygos anterior cerebral artery is an uncommon to rare variant of the circle of Willis where the two A1 segments of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) join to form a single trunk. As a result, there is no anterior communicating artery. This organisation is similar to that seen in lower primates 2.

Epidemiology

They are present in approximately 0.4-1% of the population 1.

Pathology

Associations

ItAn azygos anterior cerebral artery is associated with numerous abnormalities, including 1:

Pathology

Berry aneurysms are often seen at the eventual bifurcation of the single vessel, due to either altered haemodynamics or congenitally abnormal wall, or both. The reported incidence varies widely, from 13 to 71% 1.

Radiographic features

As there is frequent hypoplasia of the anterior communicating artery and supply of the medial surface of the hemispheres by contralateral ACA branches, confirmation of an azygos ACA can be difficult on angiography 2.Cross compression views can be helpful.

  • -<p>An <strong>azygos anterior cerebral artery</strong> is an uncommon to rare variant of the circle of Willis where the two A1 segments of the <a href="/articles/anterior-cerebral-artery">anterior cerebral artery</a> (ACA) join to form a single trunk. As a result, there is no <a href="/articles/anterior-communicating-artery">anterior communicating artery</a>. This organisation is similar to that seen in lower primates <sup>2</sup>.</p><h4>Epidemiology</h4><p>They are present in approximately 0.4-1% of the population <sup>1</sup>.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><h5>Associations</h5><p>It is associated with numerous abnormalities, including <sup>1</sup>:</p><ul>
  • +<p>An <strong>azygos anterior cerebral artery</strong> is an uncommon to rare variant of the <a title="Circle of Willis" href="/articles/circle-of-willis">circle of Willis</a> where the two A1 segments of the <a title="Anterior cerebral artery (ACA)" href="/articles/anterior-cerebral-artery">anterior cerebral artery (ACA)</a> join to form a single trunk. As a result, there is no <a href="/articles/anterior-communicating-artery">anterior communicating artery</a>. This organisation is similar to that seen in lower primates <sup>2</sup>.</p><h4>Epidemiology</h4><p>They are present in approximately 0.4-1% of the population <sup>1</sup>.</p><h5>Associations</h5><p>An azygos anterior cerebral artery is associated with numerous abnormalities, including <sup>1</sup>:</p><ul>
  • -<li>lobar <a href="/articles/holoprosencephaly">holoprosencephaly</a><sup> 3</sup>
  • +<li>lobar <a href="/articles/holoprosencephaly">holoprosencephaly</a><sup> 3</sup>
  • -</ul><p><a href="/articles/saccular-cerebral-aneurysm">Berry aneurysms</a> are often seen at the eventual bifurcation of the single vessel, due to either altered haemodynamics or congenitally abnormal wall, or both. The reported incidence varies widely, from 13 to 71% <sup>1</sup>.</p><p>As there is frequent hypoplasia of the anterior communicating artery and supply of the medial surface of the hemispheres by contralateral ACA branches, confirmation of an azygos ACA can be difficult on angiography <sup>2</sup>. Cross compression views can be helpful.</p>
  • +</ul><h4>Pathology</h4><p><a href="/articles/saccular-cerebral-aneurysm">Berry aneurysms</a> are often seen at the eventual bifurcation of the single vessel, due to either altered haemodynamics or congenitally abnormal wall, or both. The reported incidence varies widely, from 13 to 71% <sup>1</sup>.</p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><p>As there is frequent hypoplasia of the anterior communicating artery and supply of the medial surface of the hemispheres by contralateral ACA branches, confirmation of an azygos ACA can be difficult on angiography <sup>2</sup>.<br>Cross compression views can be helpful.</p>

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