A high bifurcation of the dorsal branch with dominant superficial palmar branch of the radial artery: a case report of an aberrant radial artery with traumatic aneurysm

Prevalence of Accessory Branches and Other Anatomical Variations in the Radial Artery Encountered during Radial Forearm Flap Harvest: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background Harvest of the radial forearm flap (RFF) for reconstructive surgery is proceeded by the Allen test to assess for adequate contralateral perfusion of the hand, yet the Allen test may fail to detect anatomical variations in the radial artery such as aberrant branching. Therefore, the goal of this study was to systematically review the literature regarding anatomical abnormalities of the radial artery that can affect flap harvest and to perform a meta-analysis to estimate the prevalence of such abnormalities.

Methods A systematic review of the literature was conducted using five online databases to identify all instances of radial artery anatomical variations. Abstracts were reviewed and categorized into either (1) large cohort studies of anatomical variations identified by angiogram or (2) case reports specifically mentioning anomalous or accessory branches of the radial artery. Data from the large cohort studies were included in a random effect meta-analysis to estimate the prevalence of such variations.

Results Eighteen angiogram cohort studies containing a total of 18,115 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Accessory branches were the least common anatomical variant reported, with an estimated average prevalence of 0.5%. Prevalence estimates for more common anatomical variants, including radial artery loops (0.9%), stenosis (1.3%), hypoplasia (1.9%), tortuosity (4.3%), and abnormal origin (5.6%), were also calculated. Thirteen case reports detailing anomalous branches of the radial artery were identified, seven of which involved accessory branches encountered during RFF harvest with no incidence of flap loss.

Conclusion Radial artery accessory branches are exceedingly rare, but the prevalence of other anatomical variations that can affect harvest of the RFF warrants consideration. We recommend surgeons consider comprehensive screening prior to RFF harvest to avoid intraoperative discovery of anatomical variants and suggest a low threshold for repeat perfusion testing intraoperatively if radial artery accessory branches are encountered.

Anomalous Medial Branch of Radial Artery: A Rare Variant

Radial artery is an important consistent vessel of the upper limb. It is a useful vascular access site for coronary procedures and its reliable anatomy has resulted in an elevation of radial forearm flaps for reconstructive surgeries of head and neck. Technical failures, in both the procedures, are mainly due to anatomical variations, such as radial loops, ectopic radial arteries or tortuosity in the vessel. We present a rare and a unique anomalous medial branch of the radial artery spiraling around the flexor carpi radialis muscle in the forearm with a high rising superficial palmar branch of radial artery. Developmentally it probably is a remanent of the normal pattern of capillary vessel maintenance and regression. Such a case is of importance for reconstructive surgeons and coronary interventionists, especially in view of its unique medial and deep course.

Aberrant Radial Artery Causing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Anatomical vascular variations are rare causes of carpal tunnel syndrome. An aberrant medial artery is the most common vascular variation, while an aberrant radial artery causing carpal tunnel syndrome is even more rare, with an incidence ranging less than 3%. This article reports a patient with compression of the median nerve at the carpal tunnel by an aberrant superficial branch of the radial artery. An 80- year- old man presented with a 5-year history of right hand carpal tunnel syndrome; Tinel sign, Phalen test and neurophysiological studies were positive. Open carpal tunnel release showed an aberrant superficial branch of the radial artery with its accompanying veins running from radially to medially, almost parallel to the median nerve, ending at the superficial palmar arterial arch. The median nerve was decompressed without ligating the aberrant artery. At the last follow-up, 2 years after diagnosis and treatment the patient is asymptomatic.