J Cerebrovasc Endovasc Neurosurg.  2014 Dec;16(4):364-367. 10.7461/jcen.2014.16.4.364.

Middle Meningeal Artery Arising from the Basilar Artery

• Salem MM
• Fusco MR
• Dolati P
• Reddy AS
• Gross BA
• Ogilvy CS
• Thomas AJ

• KMID: 1738342
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7461/jcen.2014.16.4.364

Abstract

Various anomalies for the origin of the middle meningeal artery (MMA) have been described in the literature. However, origin of the MMA from the basilar trunk is an extremely rare variant. We report on a 54-year-old female who presented with frequent headaches; magnetic resonance imaging showed a right parietal meningioma. The abnormal origin of the middle meningeal artery from the basilar artery was diagnosed by angiography performed for preoperative embolization of the tumor. We report on the case with a review of the embryologic basis, possible explanations for this aberrant origin, and its clinical implications.

Keyword

Middle meningeal artery; Aberrant origin; Anatomic variation; Embryology; Basilar artery; Endovascular

MeSH Terms

Anatomic Variation
Angiography
Basilar Artery*
Embryology
Female
Headache
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Meningeal Arteries*
Meningioma
Middle Aged
Rabeprazole

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Axial T2 weighted (A) and post contrast T1 weighted (B) images show an intensely enhancing dural based lesion.

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  Fig. 2 Lateral view of the left external carotid artery injection shows the superficial temporal artery (small arrows) with filling of the normal middle meningeal artery (large arrows, A). Lateral view of the right external carotid artery injection shows the superficial temporal artery (small arrows) with no evidence of the middle meningeal artery (B). No tumor blush was seen on either injection.

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  Fig. 3 Anteroposterior (A) and lateral (B) view of the left vertebral artery injection show the origin of the right middle meningeal artery (arrow) from the basilar artery.

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