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Microsurgical anatomy of the anterior choroidal artery

Anatomie microchirurgicale de l'artère choroidienne antérieure

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Summary

In this study, the authors present the results of 50 dissections of the anterior choroidal a. in man. Fifty cerebral hemispheres were prepared with the classic techniques of preservation and vascular injection. An ectopic origin was observed in 4% of cases. The intracisternal segment of the anterior choroidal a. forms a neurovascular bundle with the optic tract and basal v. Most of its intraparenchymatous branches arise from the cisternal segment, while branches supplying the optic tract, lateral geniculate body and thalamus arise from the intraplexual segment. Constant anastomoses exist with the vertebrobasilar system, specially the postero-lateral choroidal and posterior cerebral aa. We discuss the importance of an adequate knowledge of the anatomy of the anterior choroidal a. and its relations in the surgical approach to arterial aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations of the region.

Résumé

Dans cette étude, les auteurs rapportent les résultats d'une série de 50 dissections anatomiques de l'a. choroïdienne antérieure chez l'Homme. Cinquante hémisphères cérébraux préparés selon les techniques classiques de conservation et d'injection vasculaire ont ainsi été étudiés. Nous avons observé une origine ectopique dans 4 % des cas. Lors de son trajet intra-cisternal, l'a. choroïdienne antérieure réalise avec la face ventrale du tractus optique une "pince vasculo-nerveuse" autour de la veine basale. Bien que la plupart des branches collatérales à destinée intra-parenchymateuse naissent du segment cisternal de l'a. choroïdienne antérieure, nous avons observé des branches collatérales intra-plexuelles se dirigeant vers le tractus optique, le corps géniculé latéral et le thalamus. Les anastomoses avec le système vertébro-basilaire sont constantes et se font le plus souvent avec les aa. choroïdienne postéro-latérale et cérébrale postérieure. Nous discutons l'intérêt d'une parfaite connaissance anatomique de l'a. choroïdienne antérieure et de son environnement pour l'appréhension chirurgicale des anévrysmes artériels et malformations artério-veineuses de la région.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire d'Anatomie, Faculté de Médecine, Avenue du Professeur Léon-Bernard, F-35043, Rennes Cedex, France

    X Morandi, P Darnault, JM Scarabin & JM Duval

  2. Service de Neurochirurgie, CHU Pontchaillou, Rennes, France

    G Brassier

  3. Laboratoire d'Anatomie, Faculté de Médecine d'Angers, France

    Ph Mercier

Authors
  1. X Morandi
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  2. G Brassier
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  3. P Darnault
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  4. Ph Mercier
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  5. JM Scarabin
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  6. JM Duval
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Morandi, X., Brassier, G., Darnault, P. et al. Microsurgical anatomy of the anterior choroidal artery. Surg Radiol Anat 18, 275–280 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01627605

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01627605

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