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Case Reports
. 2013 Mar;19(1):73-7.
doi: 10.1177/159101991301900111. Epub 2013 Mar 4.

Unilateral rete mirabile as a result of segmental agenesis of the ascending petrous segment of the internal carotid artery: embryology, differential diagnosis and clinical implications

E Lin  1 , I Linfante, G Dabus
Affiliations
Case Reports

Unilateral rete mirabile as a result of segmental agenesis of the ascending petrous segment of the internal carotid artery: embryology, differential diagnosis and clinical implications

E Lin et al. Interv Neuroradiol. 2013 Mar.

Abstract

We describe an extremely rare case of unilateral rete mirabile in a young woman and discuss its significance in embryological development as well as its radiological aspects, differential diagnosis and potential clinical implications.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
MR angiography (MRA) of the head demonstrating segmental agenesis of the ascending petrous portion of the right ICA which is replaced by multiple small vessels reconstituting the right ICA in the cavernous segment. The MRA also shows a large clival branch from the ascending pharyngeal artery entering the skull base through the hypoglossal canal reconstituting the right cavernous ICA.
Figure 2
Figure 2
CT head scan using a bone algorithm demonstrates a dysplastic underdeveloped aspect of the distal portion of the right carotid canal.
Figure 3
Figure 3
A) AP and B) lateral views of the right ICA angiogram reveal antegrade flow in the right ICA with focal absence of a portion of its ascending petrous segment which has been replaced by multiple small vessels reconstituting the right ICA in the cavernous segment.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Lateral view of the right ECA angiogram reveals distal reconstitution of the right ICA at the level of the cavernous segment through collaterals from the internal maxillary artery and from a large clival branch from the ascending pharyngeal artery that enters the skull base through the hypoglossal canal, and anastomosis with the meningohypophyseal trunk.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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