Bilateral Persistence of Type 1 Proatlantal Arteries: Report of a Case and Review of the Literature

• Published in: American Journal of Neuroradiology 2004-10, Vol.25 (9), p.1622-1624
• Main Authors: Gumus, Terman, Onal, Baran, Ilgit, Erhan T
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Angiography, Digital Subtraction; Aortography; Arteriosclerosis - complications; Arteriosclerosis - diagnosis; Biological and medical sciences; Carotid Artery, Internal - abnormalities; Carotid Artery, Internal - pathology; Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations - diagnosis; Cerebral Infarction - diagnosis; Cerebral Infarction - etiology; Cervical Atlas - blood supply; Foramen Magnum - pathology; Head and Neck; Humans; Intracranial Embolism - complications; Intracranial Embolism - diagnosis; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Magnetic Resonance Angiography; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Nervous system; Radiodiagnosis. Nmr imagery. Nmr spectrometry; Vertebral Artery - abnormalities; Vertebral Artery - pathology
• ISSN: 0195-6108; 1936-959X; 1432-1920

Persistent proatlantal artery type 1 is one of the four anastomotic vessels between the carotid and vertebrobasilar arterial systems. Persistence of this embryonic anastomosis is extremely rare. We present such a case with bilateral persistent proatlantal arteries that arose from internal carotid arteries, entered the skull via the foramen magnum and united with the horizontal portions of vertebral arteries. We also mention its embryology, potential clinical implications, and differentiating features between two types of proatlantal arteries.