Variations of the ophthalmic and middle meningeal arteries: relation to the embryonic stapedial artery.

Recognition of the anatomic variations of the ophthalmic and middle meningeal arteries may be pertinent in tailoring the angiographic study to resolve a given clinical problem. An understanding of these anomalies is based on knowledge of the normal embryology. Unfortunately some early aspects of vascular development remain obscure.

The jugular "notch".

A characteristic "notch" in the petrous bone is described in relation to the superior outline of the jugular foramen. This notch seems to be a congenital anomaly and has a close relationship with ectasia of the dome of the internal jugular vein, as was demonstrated in two patients.

Ceruminous tumor of the jugular foramen.

Intrapetrous ceruminomas are rate tumors; only four cases have been reported in the literature. These had characteristics of cerebellopontine angle tumors. Our case had the characteristics of a tumor of the jugular foramen.

Epidermoid cysts of the spleen.

The authors report three cases of epidermoid cyst of the spleen. A squamous cell lining was found in all three. One patient had a history of antecedent trauma, and in the surgical specimen the gross and histologic features were compatiible with splenic damage.

[Angiographic findings in chondrosarcomas].

In chondrosarcomas, angiography may be helpful in confirming malignancy, delineating the anatomic extent and detecting recurrence. The angiographic findings in three chondrosarcomas are demonstrated including a vertebral one, abrupt narrowing of tumor vessels, neovascularlity and accumulation of contrast medium during the capillary phase. Changing calibre of arteries and neovascularity are better seen on selective angiograms and after subtraction technique.

Carotid-anterior cerebral artery anastomosis. Case report.

The angiographic and anatomical features of an anomalous communication between the intradural internal carotid artery and the anterior cerebral artery are described. Essential features of the anastomosis include an origin at, or close to, the origin of the ophthalmic artery, a course ventral to the ipsilateral optic nerve and anterior to the optic chiasm, and a termination near the anterior communicating artery. Although rare, the condition should be considered as an entity.

[Super-selective catheterization and embolization of the arterial pedicles of 2 meningiomas of the posterior fossa].

In two cases with meningioma in the posterior fossa, the angiographic study, completed with the super-selective catheterization of the main pedicles, was followed by the technic of embolization. In the first case, a large meningioma, extending from the clivus to the left cerebello pontine angle, was supplied mainly by the ascending pharyngeal artery. In the second case, a huge meningioma, originating from the left inferior tentorial surface, was irrigated predominantly through the posterior branch of the middle meningeal artery and through the left occipital artery.

[Effects of intrathoracic pressure on cerebral circulation in the monkey as a function of body posture, sitting or standing].

Sixty-four measurements of CBF were performed in 8 monkeys in supine and in sitting position under various conditions of ventilation. The position of the body does not normally influence the response of brain circulation to CO2. The response is not different from normal with high insufflation pressure in supine position and the capacities to autoregulation seem to be maintained.

Accessory meningeal artery.

The accessory meningeal artery, originating from either the internal maxillary or middle meningeal artery, is predominantly an extracranial vessel. A minor branch of the artery enters the skull through the foramen ovale to supply the dura of the temporal fossa as well as the Gasserian ganglion. This intracranial branch may be demonstrated on angiography and may serve as a collateral between the external and the internal carotid arteries, with or without a complex intervening vascular network.

Bilateral agenesis of internal carotid artery.

This could be the first case of bilateral agenesis of the internal carotid artery reported "in vivo." Angiogrpahic study has allowed us to recognize the anatomic details of this malformation. The absence of the two carotids is being compensated for by a trigeminal artery on the (left) side and by a hypertrophied accessory meningeal artery on the (right) side.

Angiographic demonstration of the cervical vertebral venous plexus in man.

Opacification of the cervical vertebral venous plexus was achieved by injecting contrast material into the upper part of the internal jugular vein while the lower portion of this vein was compressed externally with a tourniquet. The injection was easily performed via a percutaneous catheter which was advanced upwards into the jugular vein. Demonstration of the cervical plexus is made easier with the patients sitting up.