Intraoperative microsurgical anatomy of the anterior communicating artery complex harbouring an anterior cerebral territory aneurysm.

Abstract

The vascular anatomy of the anterior communicating artery complex (ACAC), the most frequent site of occurrence of aneurysms, is complex and associated with many anatomical and morphological variations. The aim of this study was to determine the anatomical variations of ACAC in the Indian population. This was an observational study. Sixty-two patients of ACAC aneurysms were subjected to clipping, and intraoperative microsurgical details were analyzed. Twenty-two (35.48%) patients had anatomical and morphological variations that were more common on the right side. Right A1 was hypoplastic in 5 (8.06%), aplastic in 2 (3.22%), and tortuous in 1 (1.61%) patient. Left A1 was aplastic in 3 (4.83%), hypoplastic in 1 (1.61%) and prominent in 2 (3.22%) patients. One patient (1.61%) had a prominent left A2 segment and 2 (3.22%) had a prominent right A1 and A2 segment. Two patients (3.22%) had fenestration of the ACAC and 3 (4.83%) had the median artery of corpus callosum. The recurrent artery of Heubner was identified in only 44 (70.96%) patients, and in these patients, distinct anatomical variations were noted. Eleven patients were found to present with a parent vessel anomaly, having a total of 23 (mean, 2.09) perforators arising from ACAC, whereas those without a parent vessel anomaly had a total of 57 (mean, 1.11) perforators. This difference was statistically significant. The ACAC region is the area of highest anatomical and morphological variability. This variability is even more exhaustive when associated with aneurysmal formation. A sound anatomical knowledge of the perforators and their preservation during the surgical management of the ACAC is of paramount importance for ensuring a good clinical outcome of patients.