Gross anatomical study of recurrent artery of Huebner

Abstract

Abstract Background: Cerebral aneurysms frequently occur in the arterial complex composed of Anterior Cerebral Artery, Anterior Communicating Artery and Recurrent Artery of Huebner. Due to the anatomical variations in the origin and course of the Recurrent Artery of Huebner, surgical interventions in the anterior portion of circle of Willis can be complicated by obstruction or vascular damage to Recurrent Artery of Huebner, caused by improper clip placement. Objectives: To study the variations in the origin, number, course & termination of Recurrent artery of Huebner. Also the distance of origin of the Recurrent artery from the junction of Pre and Postcommunicating segment of Anterior Cerebral Artery was noted. Materials and methods: The study was conducted in 60 randomly selected brain specimens fixed in 10% formalin for 10 days in the Department of Anatomy. The Recurrent Artery was then carefully dissected and observations were made. Photographs were taken to document the observations. Results: The Recurrent artery of Huebner arose most frequently from the junction of Pre and Postcommunicating segment of Anterior Cerebral Artery (59.2%) and next frequently from the Postcommunicating segment of Anterior Cerebral Artery within 1mm from the junction of Pre and Postcommunicating segment of Anterior Cerebral Artery. It coursed more commonly anterior to the Precommunicating segment of Anterior Cerebral Artery in 80% cases. The artery terminated in the lateral part of anterior perforated substance in 96.7% of the specimens. Conclusions: The Recurrent artery should be routinely identified during clipping of the aneurysm of the Anterior Communicating Artery to prevent postoperative neurological deficit.