Abstract
Purpose
Anatomic variations at the junction of primitive internal carotid and basilar arteries are exceedingly rare. We aimed at reporting such rare variants involving the posterior communicating artery (PComA) and the P1 segment of posterior cerebral artery (PCA).
Methods
The circle of Willis was dissected in an adult cadaver after removal of the cranial vault and cerebral hemispheres.
Results
The basilar end was rotated axially to the right. The P1 segment of the right PCA was fenestrated and occupied the interpeduncular fossa. The right PComA passed over the oculomotor nerve to join the anterior arm of the P1 fenestration. On the opposite side, the PComA coursed supero-medially to the oculomotor nerve and it had a partly duplicated posterior end, with two arms, medial, larger, and lateral, thinner, inserting successively into the left PCA.
Conclusion
Extremely rare anatomic variations of the circle of Willis should not be ignored when endovascular or microneurosurgical specific approaches are intended.
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Data availability
The datasets used and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
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Acknowledgements
The author acknowledges Dragoş Ionuţ Mincă, MD, PhD student, for participating in dissections.
Funding
This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
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Rusu, M.C. Fenestrated P1 segment of posterior cerebral artery, partly duplicated posterior communicating artery. Surg Radiol Anat 45, 761–763 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-023-03145-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-023-03145-4