A rare embryologic variation: carotid-anterior cerebral artery anastomosis or infraoptic course of the anterior cerebral artery

Carotid-anterior cerebral artery anastomosis constitutes an anomaly of the anterior part of the arterial circle of the brain. The anterior cerebral a. arises a few millimeters above the emergence of the internal carotid from the cavernous sinus, at the usual level of origin of the ophthalmic a. It travels medially, beneath the optic n., and then describes a curve with a superolateral concavity to arrive at the anterior part of the optic chiasma, where it anastomoses with the anterior communicating a. This asymptomatic variant of course is often associated with other cerebral vascular anomalies, especially arterial aneurysms. On the basis of 2 new cases discovered by chance, together with a review of the literature, various hypotheses capable of explaining the embryologic origin of these anomalies are discussed.

The principal artery of the psoas major muscle

The psoas major m. has a complex arterial supply, derived from the lumbar, iliolumbar, obturator, external iliac and common femoral a. The branches arising from the external iliac a., though quite often multiple and slender, are represented in 75% of cases by a single large-caliber vessel. This principal artery of the psoas m. is probably responsible for the curves of the external iliac a. in the aged and also in certain competitive athletes.

Scanographic study of the calcaneus: normal anatomy and clinical applications

To facilitate the interpretation of the scanographic findings in fractures of the calcaneus, the authors have achieved an anatomo-radiologic correlation in terms of the classical coronal, sagittal and horizontal planes. Clinically, the sagittal plane can be obtained only by reconstruction. The 2 other planes permit study of the sustentaculum tali and posterior talar surface only in different sections, without their respective relationships. The authors therefore suggest a new double-oblique view, practicable in the injured patient, with a forward tilt of 20 degrees and medial rotation of 35 degrees, perpendicular to the sinus tarsi. This serves for anatomo-radiologic correlation and shows both anatomic structures together. By itself, it provides as much information as the three classical views and appears adequate for the assessment of fractures.

A study in organogenesis: the arterial supply of the anorectal region in the human embryo and fetus. Anatomic and embryologic bases of anorectal malformations

The development of the anorectal region is based on differentiation of the terminal portion of the hindgut. The origin of anorectal malformations is still unknown but seems to occur very early in the embryologic period. To gain a better understanding of their development, a study of the arterial supply of the anorectal region was made in 26 embryos and 50 fetuses.

[Primary aortoduodenal fistula of tuberculous origin]

This case of aorto-duodenal fistula was due to fistulization of a tuberculous lymph node between an atheromatous aneurysm of the infra-renal aorta and the third part of the duodenum. CAT scan provided the diagnosis of an aorto-duodenal fistula. The tuberculous origin of the fistula was confirmed by bacteriological and histological examinations. The outcome was favourable after revascularisation "in situ" combined with epiplooplasty and prolonged antituberculous drug therapy.

Brachial artery entrapment: compression by the supracondylar process

Ischemia occurring during hyperextension of the upper limb in a 25-year-old woman led to the discovery of a supracondylar spur responsible for compression of the brachial artery with anomalous insertion of the pronator teres muscle. Resection of all abnormal structures provided immediate relief of symptoms. When atypical arterial symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome occur in the upper limb, the brachial artery entrapment syndrome should be considered.

[Distal reimplantation of the extremities]

Over the last two years, 15 patients have undergone revascularization surgery to a total of 17 distal extremities at the level of or distal to the last phalangeal joint. Operations were performed by three surgeons trained in microsurgical techniques, making the series a homogeneous one. Results were analyzed using Tamai and Nakamura's scores. Determinant factors, social and economic costs and effects on occupation are emphasized. The mean success rate of 65% is influenced by the total or partial nature of the section, its localization to the thumb or long fingers and the mechanism of section. The good functional results obtained were due to distal forms of amputation, recognized despite the technical difficulties as being an indication of choice for this reimplantation surgery. All patients in this group were able to return to work, with or without adaptation, within a variable lapse of time.

Endofibrosis of the external iliac artery in bicycle racers: an unrecognized pathological state

Since December 1985, we have operated upon seven bicycle racers for endofibrosis of the external iliac artery. In all instances, the athletes had started cycling early in life and were engaged in top level competition by the age of 17. The principal complaint was intermittent claudication of one lower limb at "near-maximal" exercise. Pain could be reproduced by exertional tests on an ergometric bicycle, and in all cases except one, measurement of ankle systolic pressure of that limb compared with the opposite side and brachial pressures showed a marked decrease on the involved side. Arteriography, performed with multiple views and positions, documented a 5 to 6 cm moderately stenotic (less than 40% diameter) segment, associated with arterial lengthening. Surgical treatment consisted of endarterectomy and shortening of the artery. Four patients were able to return to competition. The origin of this pathology is discussed, based on gross and histologic findings. Under certain predisposing anatomic conditions, abnormal hemodynamics, probably due to a high flow arterial state and an aerodynamic position on the bicycle, provoke repeated trauma which eventually produces the lesion. Practically unrecognized until now with only two previous publications on the subject in the literature, this entity is probably not uncommon.

Extrinsic arterial supply of the great saphenous vein: an anatomic study

The extrinsic arterial supply to the great saphenous vein was studied by dissection following latex injection, diaphanisation and contrast roentgenograms. Arterial supply arises from the external pudendal, superficial femoral, superior genicular and posterior tibial arteries. These branches ensure the irrigation of the vasa vasorum. The role they play in the outcome of bypass with the great saphenous vein is a further argument pleading in favor of the in situ technique.

[Isolated azygos continuation of the inferior vena cava. (Absence of the retrohepatic segment of the inferior vena cava)]

The isolated azygos continuation of the inferior vena cave is a very rare variation of this organ. It is accompanied by the absence of the retrohepatic segment of the vena cava with two new observations, the literature is revised and the origin discussed.

[The so-called anterior tibio-peroneal trunk. Its influence on the mode of revascularization by femoropopliteal bypass]

Femoro-popliteal bypass is difficult to perform when the posterior tibial artery originates at a high level in the lower limb. The problems arising from this anatomical variation, in which the tibio-peroneal trunk is, at least classically, anterior to the popliteal muscle, can be overcome by the technique described.

[The anterior tibial artery and vascularization of the muscles of the anterior compartment of the leg. Application to the anterior compartment syndrome of the leg]

The arterial vascularisation of the anterior loge of the leg is supply by the anterior tibial artery. Three muscles are contained in an inextensible space. Each of this muscles received an arterial supply proportional to his volume. The fragility to ischemy of the extensor hallucis longus is not explained by insufficiency of this arterial branches.

A radio-anatomical study in vivo on pancreatic ducts

Pancreatography using fibroscopy is current practice in medicine and contributes to the diagnosis of diseases of the pancreas. The radiographic images obtained generally represent oblique projections which have little in common with classic anatomical diagrams. An analysis of 60 pancreatographic investigations considered normal (out of a series of 400 investigations made on various diseases of the pancreas) has been followed by a comparison between these radiographic results obtained in vivo with diverse anatomical classifications in current use. The conclusion is reached that pancreatography is morphologically reliable and that there is no correlation between the mode of ramification of the ducts and pathological conditions (with the exception of the pancreas divisum and the annular pancreas).