• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.832-835
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• 2000

A case of unruptured cerebral aneurysm at the junction of accessory middle cerebral artery and the distal portion of the $A_1$ segment of the anterior cerebral artery is reported. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of cerebral aneurysm developed at the junction of accessory middle cerebral artery, demonstrated on magnetic resonance angiography(MRA). The accessory middle cerebral artery is a rare vascular variant of middle cerebral artery. Furthermore, it is extremely rare for an aneurysm to be developed at the origin of the accessory middle cerebral artery. The development of the accessory middle cerebral artery is very important in surgery of cerebral aneurysm and collateral circulation of cerebral infarction. Review of the literature regarding the genesis and anatomical variation of the accessory middle cerebral artery is also presented.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.568-571
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• 2009

Accessory middle cerebral artery (MCA) is an infrequent vascular anomaly of the brain. Cerebral aneurysms associated with this anomalous artery are also very rare. To our knowledge, there have only been ten previous reports of an aneurysm associated with accessory MCA. The authors present two patients with accessory MCA-related aneurysms. A 38-year-old male and a 59-year-old female both presented with sudden-onset severe headache. In both patients, computed tomography (CT) scan revealed subarachnoid hemorrhage. A subsequent angiogram demonstrated an accessory MCA arising from the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) and a saccular aneurysm at the anterior communicating artery (ACoA) complex associated with an accessory MCA. Surgical clipping allowed for complete exclusion of the aneurysm from the arterial circulation. Based on our review of the ten cases of aneurysms associated with accessory MCA documented in the literature, we suggest that accessory MCA-related aneurysms can be classified according to whether the accessory MCA originates from the proximal A1 segment or from the ACoA complex. We also emphasize the importance of precise interpretation of preoperative angiograms and intraoperative precaution in determining the presence of this anomalous artery prior to temporary clip placement.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.467-470
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• 2006

Aneurysmal ruptures associated with middle cerebral artery[MCA] anomalies, such as a duplicated MCA and an accessory MCA, are quite rare. The authors reviewed the clinical relevance and possible etiology of these anomalies.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.289-292
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• 2009

Objective : Although there are several descriptions of this vessel, there is no detailed angiographic study of the accessory middle cerebral artery (AMCA) in Korea. We describe the angiographic characteristics of the cortical territory and origin of AMCA and discuss the clinical significance of this anomaly. Methods : We searched for patients with AMCAs from a retrospective review of 1,250 conventional cerebral angiograms. We determined the origins, diameters and cortical territories of these AMCAs. Results : Fifteen patients (15 of 1250 = 1.2%) had 16 AMCAs (one patient had bilateral AMCAs). AMCAs originated from the distal A1 in eleven cases, middle A1 in two, proximal A1 in two, and proximal A2 in one case. All AMCAs followed a course parallel to the main middle cerebral artery (MCA). All but three of these arteries were smaller than the main MCA. Thirteen of the smaller diameter AMCAs had cortical distribution to the orbito-frontal and prefrontal, and precentral areas. Three AMCAs had diameter as large as the main MCA. These three supplied the orbito-frontal, prefrontal, precentral, central and anterior-parietal arteries. Conclusion : The AMCAs originated from A1 or A2. Most had smaller diameter than the main MCA. The AMCAs coursed along the horizontal portion of the MCA, but supplied the orbital surface, the anterior frontal lobe and sometimes wider cortical territory, including the precentral, central, anterior-parietal areas.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.263-267
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• 2005

Objective: Middle cerebral artery(MCA) anomalies are found incidentally on conventional cerebral angiography and magnetic resonance angiography(MRA). Our goal is to examine the incidence and types of MCA anomalies. Methods: Cerebral angiography was performed in 448 patients and MRA in 743; the patients had or were suspected to have cerebrovascular disease. The images were retrospectively evaluated for arterial anatomic anomalies. We use Teal's classification for definition of accessory and duplicated MCAs. Results: On cerebral angiography, the following anomalies of the MCA were found in seven patients: fenestration (n = 2, incidence = 0.45%); duplication (n = 2, incidence = 0.45%); accessory MCA (n = 2, incidence = 0.45%); aplasia (n = 1, incidence = 0.22%). On MRA, eight patients had anomalous MCAs : fenestration (n = 1, incidence = 0.14%); duplication (n= 6, incidence = 0.81%); accessory (n = 1, incidence = 0.14%). Conclusion: Although the clinical significance is not great, we find a relatively high incidence of anomalous MCAs. Knowledge and recognition of these MCA anomalies are useful and important in the interpretation of cerebral images and during neurosurgical procedures.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.84 no.6
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• pp.1361-1366
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• 2023

The persistent primitive olfactory artery (PPOA) is a rare variant of the anterior cerebral artery, first reported in 1979. It reportedly has a high correlation with the development of aneurysms, owing to the hemodynamic stress induced by the structural characteristics of the hairpin turn. Herein, we present a rare case of PPOA type 4 with a fusiform aneurysm at the hairpin turn segment in a 46-year-old female with occasional headaches. Time-of-flight MR angiography and transfemoral cerebral angiography revealed an unusual branch arising from the left A1 segment, running anteromedially along the ipsilateral olfactory tract, and turning the hairpin posterior to the olfactory bulb. This branch continued into the left accessory middle cerebral artery, and a fusiform aneurysm was observed at the hairpin segment. No further treatment was performed, and follow-up imaging was recommended. Nevertheless, it is essential to recognize and diagnose these rare variations.