Anatomy of the Dorsal Meningeal Artery Including Its Variations: Application to Skull Base Surgery and Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging. World Neurosurg 2021 Nov;155:e41-e48
Date
08/09/2021Pubmed ID
34365050DOI
10.1016/j.wneu.2021.07.132Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85113781605 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 6 CitationsAbstract
BACKGROUND: The blood supply to the skull base is important to surgeons and those performing interventional and diagnostic procedures in this region. However, 1 vessel with a vast distribution in this area, the dorsal meningeal artery (DMA), has had few anatomic studies performed to investigate not only its normal anatomy but also its variations. Therefore the current study aimed to analyze the DMA via cadaveric dissection.
METHODS: In 10 adults, latex-injected, cadaveric heads (20 sides), the DMA was dissected using a surgical microscope. This artery and its branches were documented and measured.
RESULTS: A DMA was identified on all sides. In the majority (85%), it was a branch of the meningohypophysial trunk or common stem with either the inferior hypophysial or tentorial arteries and always had branches that traversed the basilar venous plexus. Multiple branches of the DMA were identified and categorized as bony, dural, neural, and vascular.
CONCLUSIONS: Surgeons operating at the skull base or clinicians interpreting imaging of this area should have a good working knowledge of the DMA and its typical and variant anatomy.
Author List
McCormack IG, Xu L, Nerva J, Berry JF, Melgar M, Wysiadecki G, Walocha J, Iwanaga J, Dumont AS, Tubbs RSAuthor
John D. Nerva MD Assistant Professor in the Neurosurgery department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AgedAged, 80 and over
Female
Humans
Male
Meningeal Arteries
Neurosurgical Procedures
Skull Base
