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Replaced posterior cerebral artery (PCA): origin of all branches of the PCA from the anterior choroidal artery diagnosed by MR angiography

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Abstract

We present a rare variant of the right posterior cerebral artery (PCA), recently named “replaced PCA,” that demonstrates the origin of all its branches from the right anterior choroidal artery (AChA) on magnetic resonance (MR) angiography. In this variation, the right posterior communicating artery (PCoA) is hypoplastic and resembles the transposition of the AChA and PCoA. Detection of such rare arterial variations on MR angiographic images requires careful review of images, including source images, and partial maximum-intensity-projection images aid their identification.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Rosalyn Uhrig, M.A. for her editorial assistance in the preparation of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, 1397-1 Yamane, Hidaka, Saitama, 350-1298, Japan

    Akira Uchino

  2. Department of Cerebrovascular Surgery, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Saitama, Japan

    Tomoya Kamide & Hiroki Kurita

Authors
  1. Akira Uchino
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  2. Tomoya Kamide
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  3. Hiroki Kurita
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Contributions

AU carried out the study design and drafting of the manuscript. AU, TK and HK performed data acquisition and made a critical review of the manuscript. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Akira Uchino.

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Uchino, A., Kamide, T. & Kurita, H. Replaced posterior cerebral artery (PCA): origin of all branches of the PCA from the anterior choroidal artery diagnosed by MR angiography. Surg Radiol Anat 41, 703–705 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-019-02209-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-019-02209-8

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