Ulises Garcia-Gonzalez, Daniel D Cavalcanti, Abhishek Agrawal, Robert F Spetzler, Mark C Preul
Division of Neurological Surgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona 85013, USA.
Neurosurgery 2012 MarThe proximal superior cerebellar artery (pSCA) is often considered a perforator-free area. Precise anatomical knowledge of this region clarifies the pathophysiology underlying posterior fossa ischemic syndromes and helps avoid treatment-related complications. To anatomically evaluate perforating branches arising from the pSCA and the upper basilar artery (BA). Forty-four SCAs from 20 cadaveric heads were examined to determine patterns of the pSCA; its morphometry for medial and lateral branches; and frequency, number, diameter, distribution, and vascular territory of perforators arising from the pSCA and rostral BA. SCA arose as a single trunk in 36 sides (90%): mean diameter at origin was 1.38 mm; mean length was 14.4 ± 7.9 mm. Ninety-nine pSCA perforator branches were present in 82% of specimens (mean, 2.3 ± 1.6; range, 0-7 perforators/side). Of these, 59% were direct, belonging to the interpeduncular group in 85% of cases; 28% were short circumflex, belonging to lateral and medial pontine group; and 13% were long circumflex, reaching the medullary perforation zone (basal cerebellar group). Median distance to the first perforator was 2.0 mm (range, 0.1-15 mm). There were 132 perforator branches in the last centimeter of the BA. The pSCA should not be regarded as a perforator-free area. Although the pSCA territories likely overlap with the posterior cerebral artery, BA, and anterior inferior cerebellar artery, the pSCA segment cannot be surgically manipulated with impunity.
Ulises Garcia-Gonzalez, Daniel D Cavalcanti, Abhishek Agrawal, Robert F Spetzler, Mark C Preul. Anatomical study on the "perforator-free zone": reconsidering the proximal superior cerebellar artery and basilar artery perforators. Neurosurgery. 2012 Mar;70(3):764-72; discussion 771-2
PMID: 21904251
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