Axial transformation of the profunda femoris vein: formation, relations and course in a cadaveric specimen

When the superficial femoral vein is obstructed by thrombosis, the profunda femoris vein provides an important collateral pathway, transforming into the axial vein of the lower limb. When operating on a transformed axial vein, a surgeon should be aware of the formation, the relations and the course of the vein. A precise description of these anatomical features is not feasible on the basis of ultrasound, venographic or surgical study but only from anatomical studies. We present a case of axial transformation of the profunda femoris vein found in a cadaver, focusing on the anatomical features of the transformed axial vein

A coexisting anatomic variation of median and ulnar nerves in a cadaver palm

During a routine dissection we observed an anatomical variation of the median nerve and an atypical anastomosis in the palm region of a male cadaver. There were four distinct recurrent motor branches of the left median nerve and the palmar cutaneous branch of the ulnar nerve communicated directly with the third common palmar digital nerve. The presence of such anatomical variant in the hand should keep surgeons alert in the management of hand pathology especially in carpal tunnel syndrome which is a routine operation for many medical centers

A rare case of bilateral supernumerary heads of sternocleidomastoid muscle and its clinical impact

The sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) functions as a landmark for physicians such as anatomists, orthopaedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, and anaesthesiologists, who intervene in the minor supraclavicular fossa located at the base of the neck. The variability of SCM anatomy may cause complications while trying to access the vital elements that are located in the minor supraclavicular fossa. This study aims to present a case of supernumerary heads of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and to discuss its clinical significance. The cervical region of an elderly male cadaver was dissected and the findings were recorded and photographed. On both sides, the SCM muscle had an additional sternal head, and simultaneously there were three additional clavicular heads, four in total. These additional heads, the sternal and the clavicular, reduced the interval between them causing significant stenosis of the minor supraclavicular fossa. Sternocleidomastoid muscle variations with regard to the number of its heads are very rare in the literature, but this variation may cause severe complications. The minor supraclavicular fossa is important for anaesthesiologists because of the anterior central venous catheterization approach. Physicians should be aware of this anatomical variation in order to prevent complication

Persistent median artery in the carpal tunnel: anatomy, embryology, clinical significance, and review of the literature

The median artery usually regresses after the eighth week of intrauterine life, but in some cases it persists into adulthood. The persistent median artery (PMA) passes through the carpal tunnel of the wrist, accompanying the median nerve. During anatomical dissection in our department, we found two unilateral cases of PMA originating from the ulnar artery. In both cases the PMA passed through the carpal tunnel, reached the palm, and anastomosed with the ulnar artery, forming a medio-ulnar type of superficial palmar arch. In addition, in both cases we observed a high division of the median nerve before entering the carpal tunnel. Such an artery may result in several complications such as carpal tunnel syndrome, pronator syndrome, or compression of the anterior interosseous nerve. Therefore, the presence of a PMA should be taken into consideration in clinical practice. This study presents two cases of PMA along with an embryological explanation, analysis of its clinical significance, and a review of the literature. The review of the literature includes cases observed during surgical procedures or anatomical dissections. Cases observed by means of imaging techniques were not included in the study

Anatomical variants of the emissary veins: unilateral aplasia of both the sigmoid sinus and the internal jugular vein and development of the petrosquamosal sinus. A rare case report

We report a case of hypoplasia of the right transverse sinus and aplasia of the ipsilateral sigmoid sinus and the internal jugular vein. In addition, development of the petrosquamosal sinus and the presence of a large middle meningeal sinus and sinus communicans were observed. A 53-year-old Caucasian woman was referred for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) investigation due to chronic headache. On the MRI scan a solitary meningioma was observed. Finally MR 2D venography revealed this extremely rare variant. (Folia Morphol 2011; 70, 4: 305–308

Unilateral agenesis of the internal carotid artery presented as transient ischaemic attack: A case report

Dysgenesis of the internal carotid artery (ICA) is a rare vascular disorder with a variety of diVerent grades (agenesis, aplasia, and hypoplasia). The left internal carotid artery is reported to be aVected by dysgenesis three times more often than the right one. Most of the patients with dysgenesis of the internal carotid artery are asymptomatic. We report a case of a patient with right internal carotid artery agenesis presented to our hospital as transient ischaemic attack. CT scans at skull base level with bone settings showed absence of the right carotid canal, consistent with congenital agenesis of the internal carotid artery. MR imaging of the brain revealed signal void of the intracranial portion of right internal carotid artery. Maximum intensity projection reconstruction conWrmed the agenesis of the right ICA, with the right middle cerebral artery fed through a dilated posterior communicating artery and the right anterior cerebral artery supplied by the anterior communicating artery (fetal type of collateral Xow). In patients with agenesis of the internal carotid artery non-invasive imaging techniques are currently the mainstay of diagnosis © Springer-Verlag 2011

Lymphovenous Anastomoses Between Thoracic Duct and Azygos Vein in a Human Cadaver: A Case Report

OBJECTIVE: The study adds valuable information regarding lymphovenous communications between the thoracic duct and the azygos vein, which are very rarely discovered during anatomical dissections and very few cases have been mentioned worldwide. A detailed description of our findings and a brief review of the relevant literature are also provided. CASE REPORST: In the current study, two sizeable obliquely directed lymphovenous anastomoses between the thoracic duct and the azygos vein at the midportion of the mediastinum are described in the same cadaver. CONCLUSION: The existence of such anastomoses in humans, as well in animals, is a scientific issue under debate. Cases of rapid cancer spread could be potentially explained by the likely presence of the abovementioned communications. Copyright © 2018 by Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina