Search

Copyright of Arquivos de Ciências da Saúde da UNIPAR is the property of Associacao Paranaense de Ensino e Cultura and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction: the aortic arch in humans usually gives rise to three great vessels: the first is the brachiocephalic trunk, the second is the left common carotid artery and the third is the left subclavian artery. The brachiocephalic trunk further gives rise to the right subclavian artery and the right common carotid artery. One of the most common variations of the aortic arch branching pattern is the so-called “bovine aortic arch” when the left common carotid artery originates from the brachiocephalic trunk. We report a case of a bovine aortic arch variation identified by magnetic resonance angiography imaging in a patient with clinical neurological symptoms. Case report: a male 66years old patient with a history of amnesia, dizziness, and headache was being investigated by the neurologists with a suspect of amyloid angiopathy. The magnetic resonance imaging exam showed global cerebral volume loss, lacunar infarcts at the internal capsule and basal nuclei regions on the left and semioval center on the right. The investigation of the blood vessels of the neck by magnetic resonance angiography evidenced an anatomical variation of the aortic arch, the so-called bovine aortic arch, that might be related to the embolic cerebral infarcts in this patient. Conclusion: Embryological deviations of normal associated with this anatomical variation are discussed. Despite having little or no physiological consequence in the vast majority of patients, aortic arch variations have significant implications for planning interventional vascular radiology and surgical procedures not only in the head and neck but also in the upper limbs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]