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Diagnosis of a C3 segmental type of vertebral artery by magnetic resonance angiography: report of two cases

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Abstract

We report two cases in which the vertebral artery (VA) entered the spinal canal via the intervertebral foramen at the C2–C3 disc level, an extremely rare variation regarded as a C3 segmental type of VA, that we diagnosed by magnetic resonance angiography. The C2 segmental type of VA, in which the VA enters the spinal canal via the C1–C2 intervertebral space, is relatively common. It is important to identify these variations before surgery of the craniovertebral junction or interventional procedures to prevent complications.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Rosalyn Uhrig, M.A. for editorial assistance in the preparation of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, 1397-1 Yamane, Hidaka, Saitama, 350-1298, Japan

    Akira Uchino & Naoko Saito

  2. Department of Neurosurgery, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Hidaka, Japan

    Nahoko Uemiya

  3. Department of Trauma and Emergency Acute Medicine, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Hidaka, Japan

    Ken-ichiro Sonoda

Authors
  1. Akira Uchino
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  2. Naoko Saito
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  3. Nahoko Uemiya
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  4. Ken-ichiro Sonoda
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Correspondence to Akira Uchino.

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Uchino, A., Saito, N., Uemiya, N. et al. Diagnosis of a C3 segmental type of vertebral artery by magnetic resonance angiography: report of two cases. Surg Radiol Anat 38, 873–876 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-016-1620-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-016-1620-2

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