Journal List > J Korean Soc Radiol > v.67(3) > 1087151

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Suh, Lim, and Park: Two Cases of Aberrant Vertebral Artery Originating from Aortic Arch Distal to Left Subclavian Artery
Case Report
Cardiovascular Radiology
Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology

Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology 2012; 67(3): 157-160.

Published online: 7 September 2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.0000/jksr.2012.67.3.157

Two Cases of Aberrant Vertebral Artery Originating from Aortic Arch Distal to Left Subclavian Artery

Min Ji Suh, MS1, Chae Moon Lim, MS1, Ji Kang Park, MD2

1Jeju National University School of Medicine, Jeju, Korea.

2Department of Radiology, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju National University School of Medicine, Jeju, Korea.

Corresponding author: Ji Kang Park, MD. Department of Radiology, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju National University School of Medicine, 15 Aran 13-gil, Jeju 690-766, Korea. Tel. 82-64-717-1371, Fax. 82-64-757-8276, jkcontrast@naver.com

Received 19 April 2012       Accepted 8 July 2012

Copyright © 2012 The Korean Society of Radiology

Abstract

We report two cases of the aberrant vertebral artery, which originated from the part of the aortic arch about 2.5 cm distal to the left of the subclavian artery origin. The aberrant vertebral arteries were relatively hypoplastic. Herein, we review the previous reported cases in the literature and discuss embryologic basis and clinical implication of this variation.

Keywords: Vertebral Artery, Aberrant Origin, Computed Tomography Angiography

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1
Images from a 72-year-old woman with severe headache. Aberrant right vertebral artery (arrows) arises directly from the proximal descending thoracic aorta, distal to the left subclavian artery. It courses behind the esophagus and the trachea (A) in front of the 3rd thoracic vertebral body, and ascends upward along the posterior mediastinum (B). Then, it enters the right transverse foramen of the 7th cervical vertebra (C).
jksr-67-157-g001
Fig. 2
Images from an 82-year-old man with transient right side weakness. Aberrant left vertebral artery (arrows) arises directly from the aortic arch about 2.6 cm distal to left subclavian artery. It ascends upward along the posterior mediastinum. It is relatively hypoplastic. Ascending aorta shows mild aneurysmal dilatation. The level of the entrance cannot be determined on magnetic resonance angiography.
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Table 1
Review of the Variation of the Right Vertebral Artery Arising from Aortic Arch Distal to Left Subclavian Artery
jksr-67-157-i001

Note.-CCA = common carotid artery, SCA = subclavian artery, TF = transverse foramen, VA = vertebral artery

References

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