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A Rare Vascular Variation: Left Vertebral Artery Arising as the Fourth Branch of the Aortic Arch

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Vascular variants can significantly influence surgical planning and diagnostic accuracy. One rare anomaly is that of the left vertebral artery arising directly as the fourth branch of the aortic arch, lateral to the left subclavian artery. We describe a 52-year-old male in whom this variation was found incidentally during evaluation for an acute right medullary infarct and a focal aneurysm of the right vertebral artery. The aberrant origin was confirmed by computed tomography angiography. Such variants are important in relation to anterior cervical spine surgery, vertebral artery dissection, carotid stenting, and other endovascular procedures. Awareness of these anomalies is crucial for the avoidance of intraoperative injury and optimization of neurovascular management.

Source: Indian journal of radiology and imaging - new series/Indian journal of radiology and imaging/Indian Journal of Radiology & Imaging

DOI: 10.1055/s-0046-1822657

Authors: Jason Wei Long Ong, Yuh Yang Leong

Language: English

Topic: Vascular anomalies and interventions

Subfield: Surgery

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W7160869867

FWCI:

Cites: 6

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