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Anatomical study of the external carotid artery and its branches for administration of superselective intra-arterial chemotherapy via the superficial temporal artery

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Abstract

Background

The branching patterns of the external carotid artery vary among individuals, and consideration of the proximity of nerves is important during catheter insertion in superselective intra-arterial infusion via the superficial temporal artery. We aimed to evaluate the anatomy of the external carotid artery and its surrounding nerves for safe and accurate administration of superselective intra-arterial chemotherapy via the superficial temporal artery.

Methods

We analyzed the external carotid artery and its branches morphometrically in 28 Japanese cadavers (56 sides).

Results

Vascular tortuosity in the preauricular region of the catheter insertion site was observed in 42.9% of the sides; the main trunk of the external carotid artery was excessively tortuous in 25.0% of the sides, primarily in the preparotid region. Faciolingual and superior thyrolingual trunks were observed in 28.6 and 1.8% of the sides, respectively. The superior thyroid, lingual, facial, occipital, and maxillary arteries branched from the external carotid artery above the carotid bifurcation in 41.1% of the sides. The mean distance between the insertion site and maxillary artery was 39.5 mm, indicating the extent of catheter insertion. The auriculotemporal nerve was observed near the superficial temporal artery in the preauricular region in 44.6% of the sides; however, the clearly identifiable nerves in the exposed area were difficult to avoid.

Conclusion

Because of the branching variations observed in individuals and sides, preoperative angiography is extremely important for avoiding complications.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the medical students, Dr. Osamu Tanaka, Dr. Masaki Sekiguchi, and Dr. Kyoko Endo from Tokai University School of Medicine for their technical support. We received no financial support.

Conflict of interest

No author has any conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Tokyo University Graduate School of Medicine, Hongo 7-3-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan

    Kazumichi Yonenaga, Yoshiyuki Mori, Hideto Saijo & Tsuyoshi Takato

  2. Department of Anatomy, Tokai University School of Medicine, Shimokasuya 143, Isehara, Kanagawa, 259-1193, Japan

    Kazumichi Yonenaga & Kojun Torigoe

  3. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Fukuura 3-9, Knazawa-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 236-0004, Japan

    Iwai Tohnai, Kenji Mitsudo & Toshinori Iwai

  4. Second Division, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Nihon University School of Dentistry, Kanda-Surugadai 1-8-13, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-8310, Japan

    Yoshiyuki Yonehara

  5. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Tokai University School of Medicine, Shimokasuya 143, Isehara, Kanagawa, 259-1193, Japan

    Yoshihide Ota

Authors
  1. Kazumichi Yonenaga
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  2. Iwai Tohnai
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  3. Kenji Mitsudo
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  4. Yoshiyuki Mori
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  5. Hideto Saijo
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  6. Toshinori Iwai
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  7. Yoshiyuki Yonehara
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  8. Yoshihide Ota
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  9. Kojun Torigoe
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  10. Tsuyoshi Takato
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kazumichi Yonenaga.

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Yonenaga, K., Tohnai, I., Mitsudo, K. et al. Anatomical study of the external carotid artery and its branches for administration of superselective intra-arterial chemotherapy via the superficial temporal artery. Int J Clin Oncol 16, 654–659 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10147-011-0238-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10147-011-0238-y

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