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Vertebral artery triplication

  • Anatomic Variations
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Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

To report an extremely rare vertebral artery (VA) origin configuration.

Methods

Angiographic and MRI features of a VA triplication in a child are presented.

Results

The VA trifurcation was the result of the simultaneous persistence of the 4th, 5th and 6th primitive cervical intersegmental arteries, respectively, reaching the transverse canal at C4, C5 and C6. A contralateral VA duplication was noted as well.

Conclusion

A previously undocumented instance of VA triplication is presented. Knowledge of such variations is important for the planning of diagnostic and therapeutic cervicocranial angiography and the understanding of unusual images on noninvasive imaging studies. This type of anomaly also represents a risk factor for arterial dissection.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Interventional Neuroradiology, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, 1800 E Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA

    Philippe Gailloud

Authors
  1. Philippe Gailloud
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Contributions

PG is sole author and responsible for entirety of manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Philippe Gailloud.

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Conflict of interest

P. Gailloud is a consultant for Cerenovus (honoraria) and a recipient of research Grants from Siemens Medical (paid to institution).

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Cite this article

Gailloud, P. Vertebral artery triplication. Surg Radiol Anat 41, 841–843 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-019-02192-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-019-02192-0

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