Bilateral Persistent Primitive Olfactory Arteries Observed During Resection of Olfactory Groove Meningioma: Technical Case Report.

Abstract

Resection of olfactory groove meningiomas is challenging because of their close proximity with the anterior cerebral circulation. It is important to recognize the vascular variants in procedures at the anterior skull base because inadvertent maneuvers may result in the rupture of these arteries and unexpected bleeding. We reported a type 2 persistent primitive olfactory artery with a dural branch of the elongated anterior cerebral artery directly to the ethmoid region, visualized during the surgical removal of an olfactory groove meningioma. This is the first report of bilateral persistent primitive olfactory artery demonstrated by operative visualization and confirmed with vascular study. Understanding and recognizing the possible variations of this vascular anatomy is of great importance for anterior skull base surgeries.