Corona mortis

Last revised by Craig Hacking on 6 Mar 2024

Corona mortis, Latin for "crown of death", is a common variant vascular anastomosis between the external iliac artery or deep inferior epigastric artery and the obturator artery. It is reported to be present in a third of patients on routine multidetector CT examination 1,4. Its called as such because any lesion in this structure may results in significant bleeding.

Knowledge of this variant vascular anastomosis is critical for surgical planning and in pelvic trauma, as it is susceptible to vascular injury given its posterior relation to the superior pubic rami 2.

A study of 100 pelvic CTA scans 5 found this variant to be:

  • more common in females

  • more commonly unilateral than bilateral (2:1)

  • distance from the pubic symphysis ranges from 35-72 mm

  • vessel diameter ranges from 1.4-3.7 mm

  • not seen in smaller pelvises

  • potentially occluded in patients with known peripheral vascular disease

See also

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