title: Aortic arch branch variations--case report and arteriographic analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Non-recognition of a critical aortic arch branch variation at surgery, with fatal consequences, prompted a retrospective analysis of the prevalence of aortic arch branch variations in the South African population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three hundred and twenty aortic arch angiograms were analysed from existing records (January 1988--March 1998) of the vascular unit, Department of Surgery, University of Natal.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Aortic arch branch variations were observed in 17 cases (5.3%). These variations were as follows: (i) 11 cases with two primary branches (3.4%); (ii) 1 case with three primary branches (0.3%); and (iii) 5 cases with four primary branches (1.6%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The clinical presentations which these variations give rise to are well known and may present during the first days of life or later in adulthood, or remain clinically silent. Non-recognition of the latter situation in the presence of vascular trauma may have fatal consequences.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, University of Durban-Westville.
authors.forename: Kapil Sewsaran
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Satyapal
authors.forename: Saraswathi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Singaram
authors.forename: Prawesh
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Partab
authors.forename: Jaikrishna Maharaj
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kalideen
authors.forename: John Vivian
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Robbs
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D020520:Brain Infarction / Q000209:etiology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014951:Wounds, Stab / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*