title: Anatomical Considerations on Surgical Anatomy of the Carotid Bifurcation.
abstract: Surgical anatomy of carotid bifurcation is of unique importance for numerous medical specialties. Despite extensive research, many aspects such as precise height of carotid bifurcation, micrometric values of carotid arteries and their branches as their diameter, length, and degree of tortuosity, and variations of proximal external carotid artery branches are undetermined. Furthermore carotid bifurcation is involved in many pathologic processes, atheromatous disease being the commonest. Carotid atheromatous disease is a major predisposing factor for disabling and possibly fatal strokes with geometry of carotid bifurcation playing an important role in its natural history. Consequently detailed knowledge of various anatomic parameters is of paramount importance not only for understanding of the disease but also for design of surgical treatment, especially selection between carotid endarterectomy and carotid stenting. Carotid bifurcation paragangliomas constitute unique tumors with diagnostic accuracy, treatment design, and success of operative intervention dependent on precise knowledge of anatomy. Considering those, it becomes clear that selection and application of proper surgical therapy should consider anatomical details. Further research might ameliorate available treatment options or even lead to innovative ones.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 17 Mikras Asias Street, Goudi, 15771 Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Adamantios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Michalinos
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 17 Mikras Asias Street, Goudi, 15771 Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Markos
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chatzimarkos
authors.affiliation: 3rd Department of Surgery, Attikon University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12243 Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Arkadopoulos
authors.affiliation: 3rd Department of Surgery, Attikon University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12243 Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Michail
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Safioleas
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 17 Mikras Asias Street, Goudi, 15771 Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Theodore
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-3676-4486
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Troupis