A case of vertebral artery duplication at the level of atlas: Anatomical description

Abstract

Purpose: To present case of vertebral artery duplication surrounding the posterior arch of atlas. Methods The vertebral artery variation was encountered during dissection of specimen from the body of a 62-yearold man. Results: The vertebral artery formed a circle located extraduraly, surrounding the posterior arch of atlas vertebra. Topography and morphometry of the finding is described. Embryology and clinical significance based on literature review are discussed. Conclusions: Precise diagnostic imaging is necessary before surgical interventions at the level of cranio-spinal junction in order to avoid conflict with rare vascular variations. © The Author(s) 2014.