A cadaveric study of variations in the vertebrobasilar system

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Original Article

Author Details : Sunitha Narayanan, Geetha GN*

Volume : 5, Issue : 4, Year : 2018

Article Page : 553-558

https://doi.org/10.18231/2394-2126.2018.0125

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Abstract

Introduction: The intracranial part of vertebral artery, basilar artery, and their branches together form the veretebrobasilar system. Identification of anomalies or variations in the vertebrobasilar system can be useful in diagnosing associated aneurysms, and in preventing complications during endovascular treatment.
Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in 60 randomly selected brain specimens obtained from the cadavers used for dissection by the undergraduate medical students in the department of anatomy. The length of the basilar artery, variations in its course, level of formation and termination were noted. The variations in the caliber of right and left vertebral arteries and their symmetry were noted. Photographs were taken to document the variations. The results obtained were then tabulated.
Results: In the present study variations in the origin of basilar artery was noted in 25% of specimens. Other variations like fenestration and button hole formation was also noted. Asymmetry of vertebral arteries were present in 14% of specimens. Hypoplasia of vertebral artery was also noted.
Conclusion: Knowledge of variations in the vertebrobasilar system is helpful for the neurosurgeons to plan and execute surgeries for treatment of stenosis, aneurysms, and arteriovenous malformations in the posterior cranial fossa.

Keywords: Vertebrobasilar system, Variations, Hypoplasia, Asymmetry, Posterior circulation, Vertebrobasilar ischemia.

How to cite : Narayanan S, Geetha Gn, A cadaveric study of variations in the vertebrobasilar system. Indian J Clin Anat Physiol 2018;5(4):553-558

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