title: Ascending pharyngeal-vertebral anastomosis demonstrated by computed tomography angiography of the ascending pharyngeal artery: a case report.
abstract: Ascending pharyngeal-vertebral anastomosis has been identified by angiography of the carotid artery in several cases. We present a case of ascending pharyngeal-vertebral anastomosis that was found incidentally in computed tomography angiography of the ascending pharyngeal artery. Images revealed that the anastomosis formed through the hypoglossal branch of the neuromeningeal trunk. The anastomosis seemed to be associated with hypoplasia of the right vertebral artery. Interventional radiologists should be aware of this dangerous anastomotic route of the APA to the VA. Discovery of hypoplasia of the major intracranial arteries before intra-arterial chemotherapy or embolization in head and neck area may avoid subsequent complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Osaka University School of Medicine, Osaka Medical Center for Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease, Japan. haihan1871@yahoo.co.jp
authors.forename: Yukihisa
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.forename: Nobuo
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kashiwagi
authors.forename: Katsuyuki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakanishi
authors.forename: Kunitoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yoshino
authors.forename: Noriyuki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tomiyama
mesh_terms: D000792:Angiography; D001165:Arteriovenous Malformations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D033162:Incidental Findings; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010614:Pharynx / Q000098:blood supply*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014711:Vertebral Artery / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*