Anomalous connections between the anterior and posterior cranial circulation are rare embryologic entities. A persistent hypoglossal artery has a reported incidence of 0.03% to 0.09% and has been linked to intracranial aneurysms, atherosclerosis, and posterior circulation ischemia. Identification of this anomaly is essential prior to carotid artery revascularization given the technical challenges and added risks with intervention. We report a case of an 80-year-old female with progression of carotid stenosis in the setting of a persistent hypoglossal artery. We provide a review of the literature and discuss the technical challenges of carotid revascularization in this patient.
Nutcracker syndrome is a rare entity in which compression of the left renal vein (LRV), usually by the overlying superior mesenteric artery (SMA), results in renal venous congestion and reflux in the left ovarian vein (LOV). Patients may present with hematuria, left flank pain, dyspareunia, and vaginal or abdominal wall varicose veins. We report a patient with nutcracker syndrome who presented atypically with left flank pain that was exacerbated in the postprandial state. We hypothesize that the physiologic dilation of the SMA after oral intake caused increased LRV compression at that site and augmented lateral LRV distention. The patient had no evidence of SMA syndrome or chronic mesenteric insufficiency. Her symptoms resolved after we performed an LOV to inferior vena cava transposition.
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