Hiro Kiyosue MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Shuichi Tanoue MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Ryuichi Shimada MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Hiromu Mori MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Artery of foramen rotundum is thought to be a sole arterial branch of the pterigopalatine segment of the internal maxillary artery to the cavernous sinus. However, we found another undescribed branch, provisionally-named artery of superior orbital fissure (SOF), from pterigopalatine segment of the internal maxillary to the cavernous sinus via the SOF in some cases of parasellar hypervascular lesions. In this paper, we investigated the frequency and course of the artery of SOF in cases with parasellar hypervascular lesions.

We retrospectively reviewed biplane and 3D angiography of external carotid artery undergone from June 2010 to December 2013 in 17 patients with parasellar hypervascular lesions, including 13 cases of cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistulas and 4 cases of parasellar meningiomas. 3D angiographic images were reviewed by 2 experienced neuroradiologists with particular interest to the artery of SOF. 

The artery of SOF was identified in 7 of 13 cases of cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistulas and 2 of 4 cases of parasellar meningioma. It arose at the pterygopalatine segment of the internal maxillary artery, either singly or by a common trunk with the artery of foramen rotundum, and run upward to reach the SOF, and then turned posteriorly to the cavernous sinus with acute angle and fed the AVFs or tumors. In one case, the artery of SOF communicated with lachrymal branch of the ophthalmic artery at the orbital apex.

Although it has not been described in anatomic paper, the artery of SOF could be observed approximately half of the cases of parasellar hypervascular lesions  

This study demonstrates an arterial branch of the external carotid artery, artery of superior orbital fissure (SOF), which has not been recognized. The artery of SOF can feed the cavernous sinus dural AVFs and hypervascular tumor. Special attention should be paid for embolization of the artery of SOF because it potentially anastomose with ophthalmic artery and anterior branch of the inferolateral trunk of the internal carotid artery.

Kiyosue, H, Tanoue, S, Shimada, R, Mori, H, Artery of Superior Orbital Fissure: An Undescribed Branch from the Pterygopalatine Segment of the Internal Maxillary Artery to the Cavernous Sinus through the Superior Orbital Fissure.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14045767.html