J Korean Soc Radiol.  2012 Sep;67(3):157-160. 10.3348/jksr.2012.67.3.157.

Two Cases of Aberrant Vertebral Artery Originating from Aortic Arch Distal to Left Subclavian Artery

• Suh MJ
• Lim CM
• Park JK

• KMID: 2097965
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jksr.2012.67.3.157

Abstract

We report two cases of the aberrant vertebral artery, which originated from the part of the aortic arch about 2.5 cm distal to the left of the subclavian artery origin. The aberrant vertebral arteries were relatively hypoplastic. Herein, we review the previous reported cases in the literature and discuss embryologic basis and clinical implication of this variation.

MeSH Terms

Aorta, Thoracic
Subclavian Artery
Vertebral Artery

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Images from a 72-year-old woman with severe headache. Aberrant right vertebral artery (arrows) arises directly from the proximal descending thoracic aorta, distal to the left subclavian artery. It courses behind the esophagus and the trachea (A) in front of the 3rd thoracic vertebral body, and ascends upward along the posterior mediastinum (B). Then, it enters the right transverse foramen of the 7th cervical vertebra (C).

• 

  Fig. 2 Images from an 82-year-old man with transient right side weakness. Aberrant left vertebral artery (arrows) arises directly from the aortic arch about 2.6 cm distal to left subclavian artery. It ascends upward along the posterior mediastinum. It is relatively hypoplastic. Ascending aorta shows mild aneurysmal dilatation. The level of the entrance cannot be determined on magnetic resonance angiography.

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