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Bilateral vertebral artery fenestrations in the craniocervical junction region: the clinical role of 3D computed tomography angiography

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Abstract

Fenestration of the vertebral artery (FVA) is a rare occurrence that comprises only 2% of fenestrations formed in the intracranial arteries. Herein, we report a unique case of bilateral FVA in the craniocervical junction (CCJ) region using conventional magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and three-dimensional computed tomography angiography (3D-CTA). Compared to MRA, 3D-CTA was more sensitive in delineating the FVAs located in the region. Furthermore, it effectively depicted the relationships between the VAs and surrounding bony structures. The clinical implications of FVAs can be better understood in relation to the surrounding bony structures. 3D-CTA is mandatory when performing endovascular and open surgical interventions in and around the VA segments in the CCJ region.

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No funding was received for this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurological Surgery, Juntendo University Urayasu Hospital, 2-1-1 Tomioka, Urayasu, Chiba, 279-0021, Japan

    Senshu Nonaka, Satoshi Tsutsumi & Hisato Ishii

  2. Division of Radiological Technology, Juntendo University Urayasu Hospital, Urayasu, Chiba, Japan

    Toshihisa Inaba

Authors
  1. Senshu Nonaka
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  2. Satoshi Tsutsumi
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  3. Toshihisa Inaba
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  4. Hisato Ishii
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All the authors contributed equally to the study.

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Correspondence to Satoshi Tsutsumi.

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The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare regarding the materials or methods used or the findings presented in this study.

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All procedures performed in the study were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee, in addition to the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Nonaka, S., Tsutsumi, S., Inaba, T. et al. Bilateral vertebral artery fenestrations in the craniocervical junction region: the clinical role of 3D computed tomography angiography. Surg Radiol Anat 44, 315–318 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-022-02886-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-022-02886-y

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