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Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Non-invasive Parenchymal, Vascular and Metabolic High-frequency Ultrasound and Photoacoustic Rat Deep Brain Imaging
Published on: March 2, 2015
Double posterior inferior cerebellar artery
Mansoor Sharifi1, Ewa Ungier, Bogdan Ciszek
1Department of Anatomy, Center of Biostructure, Medical University of Warsaw, 5 Chałubinskiego St., Warsaw, Poland. mansoorir@yahoo.com
This study found rare instances of double Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery (PICA) trunks in cerebellar specimens. This anatomical variation may indicate enhanced blood supply to the cerebellum.
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Vascular anatomy
- Neuroanatomy
Background:
- The Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery (PICA) is a critical cerebellar artery originating from the vertebral artery.
- PICA typically has a single intracranial trunk, but rare variations like absent, double, extracranial, or extradural origins exist.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document and analyze rare variations in the origin of the Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery (PICA).
- To investigate the occurrence of double-trunk PICA in a series of cerebellar specimens.
Main Methods:
- Examination of 50 cerebellar specimens (100 hemispheres) injected with colored gelatin.
- Identification and documentation of anatomical variations in PICA origin.
Main Results:
- Unilateral double PICA was identified in 2 out of 50 specimens (2%).
- Both cases involved the right side in male subjects aged 45 and 65.
- The second PICA trunk, or accessory trunk, was generally smaller than the main trunk.
Conclusions:
- Double-trunk PICA is a rare anatomical variation.
- This variation might suggest an enhanced blood supply to the affected cerebellar hemisphere.
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