Anomalous origin of the posterior meningeal artery from the lateral medullary segment of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery

Abstract

The authors present two cases of angiographically-confirmed anomalous origin of the posterior meningeal artery (PMA) from the lateral segment of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) and describe briefly the probable embryogenesis of this anomaly.

Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery Supplied by the Jugular Branch of the Ascending Pharyngeal Artery Diagnosed by MR Angiography: Report of Two Cases

“…The posterior meningeal artery (PMA) usually arises from the VA and sometimes from the hypoglossal or jugular branches of the APA. Rarely, the PMA congenitally anastomoses with the PICA [13,14]. The report of Tsutsumi's team [15] of a case of acquired anastomosis between the PMA (meningeal vessel) and PICA (pial vessel) appears to offer the possibility of such an anastomosis.…”

A Case of Lateral Medullary Artery Arisen from the Posterior Meningeal Artery

“…Several studies reported anomalies, such as the PICA branching from the PMA 7) and PMA branching from the PICA. 8) In the embryonic phase, PICA-PMA anastomotic vessels are present, 9,10) as indicated between embryonicphase blood vessels; embryologically, a PICA-perfused area may be perfused from the PMA. Furthermore, the PMA branching from the VA originates from the epidural area, showing a course into the cranium through the foramen magnum and reaching the dura mater of the posterior cranial fossa.…”

Basilar extension and posterior inferior cerebellar artery involvement as risk factors for progression of the unruptured spontaneous intradural vertebral artery dissection

“…Although there is typically no anastomosis between the PICA and posterior meningeal artery, remnants of primitive anastomotic channels between the cerebral PICA and dural posterior meningeal artery have been reported to persist until adulthood 19. Retrograde flow from the contralateral vertebral artery and the decreased antegrade flow from the vertebral artery due to siVAD make a watershed at the siVAD,18 which promotes reduction of antegrade flow from PICA.…”