Diagnostics (Jan 2022)

Imaging Challenges in the Diagnosis of Anatomical Variations of the Supra-Aortic Vessels: A Case Report and Review of Literature

  • Alexandra Dădârlat-Pop,
  • Adrian Molnar,
  • Alexandru Oprea,
  • Raluca Tomoaia,
  • Bianca Boros,
  • Sorin Literat,
  • Adela Serban,
  • Simona Manole

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics12010169
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 1
p. 169

Abstract

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A 73-year-old woman was referred to our Cardiology Department due to recurrent headaches and dizziness. She had a history of hypertension of 10 years. In the territorial hospital, left internal carotid artery significant stenosis was suspected. Neurological examination and laboratory tests were normal. A neck vascular ultrasound was performed, showing a low bifurcation of the left common carotid artery (CCA) and a hypoplastic left internal carotid artery (ICA) with a sinuous path at the cervical level. Therefore, a computed tomographic (CT) angiography examination of the head and neck vessels was performed. The images confirmed the presence of a hypoplastic left ICA, anatomic variation in the left CCA, and also showed that the left vertebral artery (VA) was stemming directly from the aortic arch, exhibiting a kinking trajectory.

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