Azygos anterior cerebral artery
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At the time the article was created Frank Gaillard had no recorded disclosures.
View Frank Gaillard's current disclosuresAt the time the article was last revised Galo Pillajo had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.
View Galo Pillajo's current disclosures- Azygous anterior cerebral artery
- Azygous ACA
- Azygos ACA
An azygos anterior cerebral artery (sometimes spelled azygous) is a rare variant of the circle of Willis where the two A2 segments of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) join to form a single trunk. As a result, there is no anterior communicating artery. This organization is similar to that seen in lower primates 2.
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Epidemiology
They are present in approximately 0.4-1% of the population 1.
Associations
An 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 hemodynamics, a congenitally abnormal wall, or both. The reported incidence varies widely at 13-71% 1.
Radiographic features
As there is frequent hypoplasia of the anterior communicating artery and supply of the medial surface of the hemispheres by contralateral anterior cerebral artery branches, confirmation of an azygos anterior cerebral artery can be difficult on angiography 2. Cross compression views can be helpful.
References
- 1. Huh JS, Park SK, Shin JJ et-al. Saccular aneurysm of the azygos anterior cerebral artery: three case reports. 2007;42 (4): 342-5. doi:10.3340/jkns.2007.42.4.342 - Free text at pubmed - Pubmed citation
- 2. LeMay M, Gooding CA. The clinical significance of the azygos anterior cerebral artery (A.C.A.). Am J Roentgenol Radium Ther Nucl Med. 1966;98 (3): 602-10. Am J Roentgenol Radium Ther Nucl Med (abstract) - Pubmed citation
- 3. Rossi A. Pediatric neuroradiology. Springer Verlag. (2005) ISBN:3540410775. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
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