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Arterial vascularization of the human thalamus: extra-parenchymal arterial groups

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Abstract

The problem of the arterial vascularization of the human thalamus has been debated at length. Anatomical references concerning the thalamic arterial groups are contradictory and complex, preventing any solid application in practice. It is, therefore, difficult to produce reliable anatomical radio-clinical correlation. In this work, 12 adult human cerebellums (24 hemispheres) were dissected after intra-vascular injection. With care for clarification and standardization, the extra-parenchymal thalamic arteries were classified in six groups: pre-mamillary artery, perforating thalamic arteries, thalamo-geniculate arteries, perforating branches of the postero-medial, postero-lateral and anterior choroidal arteries. Variations in the pre-mamillary artery were rare. The origin of the perforating thalamic artery was unilateral in two of three cases. The origin of the thalamo-geniculate arteries arose between the posterior cerebral artery (53%) and the posterior choroidal arteries (43%). The postero-median choroidal artery was most often single and usually gave the perforating branches for the medial aspect of the thalamus. The postero-lateral choroidal artery was frequently multiple and essentially gave the perforating branches for the superior aspect of the thalamus. The pulvinarian branches most often rose from the postero-lateral choroidal arteries (two thirds of cases) and more rarely from the postero-median choroidal arteries (one third of cases). The anterior choroidal artery is a source of thalamic vascularization by its cisternal branches running towards the lateral thalamus. It can also participate in the vascularization of the pulvinar by the plexiform branches crossing the temporal horn of the lateral ventricle. This study has allowed definition of the intra-parenchymatous arterial map of the thalamus. This mapping is essential for producing anatomical radio-clinical correlations which are pertinent for therapeutic decisions.

Résumé

La vascularisation artérielle du thalamus humain est un problème débattu de longue date. Les références anatomiques concernant les groupes artériels thalamiques sont contradictoires et complexes interdisant toute application concrète en pratique. Il est donc difficile de réaliser des corrélations anatomo-radio-cliniques fiables. Dans ce travail, nous avons disséqué 12 encéphales adultes humains (24 hémisphères) après injection intra-vasculaire. Avec un souci de clarification et de standardisation, nous avons classé les artères thalamiques extra-parenchymateuses en 6 groupes : artère pré-mamillaire, artères thalamo-perforantes, artères thalamo-géniculées, rameaux perforants des artères choroïdiennes postéro-médiale, postéro-latérale et antérieure. Les variations de l'artère pré-mamillaire sont rares. L'origine des artères thalamo-perforantes est unilatérale dans 2/3 des cas. La naissance des artères thalamo-géniculées se partage entre l'artère cérébrale postérieure (53%) et les artères choroïdiennes postérieures (43%). L'artère choroïdienne postéro-médiane est le plus souvent unique et donne préférentiellement des rameaux perforants pour la face médiale du thalamus. L'artère choroïdienne postéro-latérale est fréquemment multiple et donne essentiellement des rameaux perforants pour la face supérieure du thalamus. Les rameaux pulvinariens naissent le plus souvent des artères choroïdiennes postéro-latérales (dans 2/3 des cas) et plus rarement des artères choroïdiennes postéro-médianes (tiers des cas). L'artère choroïdienne antérieure est une source de vascularisation du thalamus par ses branches cisternales se dirigeant vers le thalamus latéral. Elle peut également participer à la vascularisation du pulvinar par des branches plexuelles traversant la corne temporale du ventricule latéral. La poursuite de ce travail doit permettre de préciser les cartographies artérielles intra-parenchymateuses du thalamus. Ces cartographies sont indispensables à la réalisation de corrélations anatomo-radio-cliniques pertinentes pour la prise de décision thérapeutique.

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Acknowledgements

This study was facilitated by financial assistance from Sanofi-Synthelabo France.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire d'Anatomie, UFR des Sciences Médicales et Pharmaceutiques, Place Saint-Jacques, 25030, Besançon cedex, France

    L. Tatu, F. Vuillier, B. Parratte, M. Diop & Guy Monnier

  2. Fédération des Sciences Neurologiques, CHU Jean Minjoz, 3 boulevard Flemming, 25030, Besançon cedex, France

    A. Cosson, L. Tatu, F. Vuillier, B. Parratte & Guy Monnier

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  1. A. Cosson
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  2. L. Tatu
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Correspondence to A. Cosson.

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Cosson, A., Tatu, L., Vuillier, F. et al. Arterial vascularization of the human thalamus: extra-parenchymal arterial groups. Surg Radiol Anat 25, 408–415 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-003-0153-7

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