Variant origin of the superior cerebellar artery in a black {Kenyan} population
Abstract
Knowledge of variant origin of the superior cere-
bellar artery is important during neuroradiological
and neurosurgical procedures at the basilar termi-
nation and clivus regions, and may influence the
occurrence of atherosclerosis and aneurysms.
These variations show ethnic differences, but there
are hardly any reports on the black African popula-
tion. This study therefore examined the various
origins of 394 superior cerebellar arteries from 17
3
brains of black adult Kenyans, obtained during au-
topsy at the Department of Human Anatomy, Uni-
versity of Nairobi, Kenya. The cranial cavity was
opened and the brain removed
en bloc
. Arachnoid
matter was gently removed to expose the arteries
at the base of the brain. The distal third of the b
asi-
lar artery was exposed and superior cerebellar
artery identified as that which supplied the superi
or
surface of the cerebellar hemispheres. It was
traced to its origin and the source recorded. Rep-
resentative patterns were photographed with a
high resolution digital camera. The data were ana-
lyzed for frequency and are presented in macro-
graphs and a table. The conventional single artery
origin from the basilar artery was present in only
284 (72.1%) cases. In the remainder, it was dupli-
cated in 84 (21.3%), originated from posterior cer-
ebral artery in 16 (4.0%) and from common trunk
with posterior cerebral artery in 10 (2.5%) cases.
Variant origin of the superior cerebellar artery oc
-
curred in nearly 28% of cases studied. This influ-
ences the pattern of termination of the basilar ar-
tery, may complicate posterior cranial fossa sur gery and predispose to atherosclerosis and aneu-
rysms. Preoperative evaluation of the superior cer-
ebellar artery is recommended.
Citation
Ogeng’o, J., Elbusaidy, H., Sinkeet, S., Olabu, B., Mwachaka, P., & Inyimili, M. (2015). Variant origin of the superior cerebellar artery in a black Kenyan population. Eur. J. Anat, 19(3), 287-290.Publisher
University of Nairobi
Collections
- Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) [10387]