The inferior mesenteric artery arising from the superior mesenteric artery demonstrated with 3D-CT: A case report

Abstract

The inferior mesenteric artery arising from the superior mesenteric artery is an extremely rare anatomic variation. We report a case with this variation demonstrated with 3-dimensional contrast-enhanced computed tomography, which later was confirmed at surgery. The ordinary inferior mesenteric artery arising from the aorta was absent. Previously reported cases with this variation are reviewed. 3-dimensional contrast-enhanced computed tomography is useful for in vivo visualization of aberrant arterial anatomy. Keywords: Anatomy, Inferior mesenteric artery, Superior mesenteric artery, Variation, 3D-CT