Arterial Variations Within the Lateral Cervical Region: A Multidetector CT Angiography Study

Abstract

It is important to know the arterial anatomy within the lateral cervical region before the flap-planning. We evaluated the arterial anatomy in this area using multidetector computed tomography (CT) angiography and our aim was to establish the arterial variations. Both sides of individuals in a total number of 155 carotid CT angiographies are reviewed by using 64-detector CT, retrospectively. The variations of suprascapular artery, superficial cervical artery, dorsal scapular artery that are inclusive of the lateral cervical region were assessed. Three arteries originated individually in 67 (23.8 %) sides. They arose by trunk formation in 214 (76.2 %) sides. The most common type of trunk formation was cervicodorsal trunk (107; 38 %). The others were cervicoscapular trunk, cervicodorsoscapular trunk, dorsoscapular trunk and detected in 66 (23.4 %), 40 (14.3 %), 1 (0.3 %) sides, respectively. The origins of arteries within the lateral cervical region may show variations and they may originate from subclavian artery or its branches individually or by trunk formations. It may be beneficial to know these variations before the reconstructive surgical procedures in head and neck. CT angiography is a non-invasive method that enables to evaluate the arterial anatomy and variations in this area.

Bilateral variation in the branching pattern of the subclavian artery: an unusual finding with clinical implications

“…They reported presence of a CDST arising from a thyrocervical trunk in 12.5% of the cases they studied. 7 There are limited reports of a CSDT with origin from the subclavian artery. A CSDT arising directly from the subclavian artery had a very low incidence of 1.1% 7 and 3%.…”

“… 7 There are limited reports of a CSDT with origin from the subclavian artery. A CSDT arising directly from the subclavian artery had a very low incidence of 1.1% 7 and 3%. 3 This indicates that this occurrence of bilateral CDST is a unique finding with associated clinical implications.…”