Vertebral and carotid artery anomalies in patients with aberrant right subclavian arteries.

BACKGROUND: There is little published evidence regarding the patterns and prevalence of vertebral artery (VA) and common carotid artery (CCA) anomalies in patients with an aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSCA).

OBJECTIVE: To study the patterns and prevalence of VA and CCA anomalies in patients with ARSCA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a 2-year period we reviewed the children referred with suspected vascular ring who had undergone multidetector-row CT. Patients with ARSCA were reviewed for VA and CCA patterns and their prevalence and relevance were calculated.

RESULTS: In total, 102 patients with ARSCA were identified. VA anomalies were present in 16 patients (15.7%), and CCA anomalies (common carotid trunk) in 21 patients (20.6%). In some patients with VA anomalies, the right VA arose from the right CCA and in some the left VA arose from the aortic arch. When the left VA arose from the aortic arch it was situated between the left CCA and the left SCA or between the left SCA and the ARSCA.

CONCLUSION: If neurointerventionalists understand these potential anomalies and their prevalence, time and contrast medium could be saved when catheterizing the VA and CCA in patients with ARSCA.