TY - JOUR
T1 - A microsurgical study of the anatomy and course of the ophthalmic artery and its possibly dangerous anastomoses
AU - Perrini, Paolo
AU - Cardia, Andrea
AU - Fraser, Kenneth
AU - Lanzino, Giuseppe
PY - 2007/1
Y1 - 2007/1
N2 - Object. The authors studied the microsurgical anatomy of the ophthalmic artery (OphA), paying particular attention to its possibly dangerous anastomoses with the middle meningeal artery (MMA). Methods. The microsurgical anatomy of the OphA and its anastomoses with the MMA were studied in 14 vessels from seven adult cadaveric heads. The origination order of the OphA branches varies in relation to whether the artery, along its intraorbital course, crosses above or below the optic nerve (ON). The central retinal artery is the first branch to course from the OphA when it crosses over the ON, and it is the second branch to course from the OphA when the artery crosses under the ON. Anastomoses between branches of the MMA and the OphA were present in the majority of the specimens examined. Conclusions. Detailed knowledge of the microanatomy of the OphA and recognition of anastomoses between the external carotid artery and the OphA are critically important in avoiding disastrous complications during endovascular procedures.
AB - Object. The authors studied the microsurgical anatomy of the ophthalmic artery (OphA), paying particular attention to its possibly dangerous anastomoses with the middle meningeal artery (MMA). Methods. The microsurgical anatomy of the OphA and its anastomoses with the MMA were studied in 14 vessels from seven adult cadaveric heads. The origination order of the OphA branches varies in relation to whether the artery, along its intraorbital course, crosses above or below the optic nerve (ON). The central retinal artery is the first branch to course from the OphA when it crosses over the ON, and it is the second branch to course from the OphA when the artery crosses under the ON. Anastomoses between branches of the MMA and the OphA were present in the majority of the specimens examined. Conclusions. Detailed knowledge of the microanatomy of the OphA and recognition of anastomoses between the external carotid artery and the OphA are critically important in avoiding disastrous complications during endovascular procedures.
KW - Embolization
KW - Microsurgical anatomy
KW - Middle meningeal artery
KW - Ophthalmic artery
KW - Orbit
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U2 - 10.3171/jns.2007.106.1.142
DO - 10.3171/jns.2007.106.1.142
M3 - Article
C2 - 17236500
AN - SCOPUS:33846267740
VL - 106
SP - 142
EP - 150
JO - Journal of Neurosurgery
JF - Journal of Neurosurgery
SN - 0022-3085
IS - 1
ER -