The artery of Davidoff and Schechter: an anatomical study with neurosurgical case correlates

Few reports have mentioned the artery of Davidoff and Schechter (ADS). Therefore, this variant tentorial branch of the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) was studied.

Twenty adult latex-injected cadaveric heads (40 sides) underwent microdissection with specific attention given to the presence of the ADS. When identified, measurements and observations were made of the source and course of this vessel. Two case illustrations were also provided for clinical application.

An ADS was identified on 10 sides (25%). This artery was found to always be a branch of the P2 segment of the PCA and typically traveled posterolateral under the superior cerebellar artery and superior to the trochlear nerve to enter the deep surface of the tentorium cerebelli roughly near the midpoint of the ipsilateral one-half of the incisura. From this point, the vessel traveled posterior to approximately the midline where it took an upward course to supply the falcotentorial junction. The average diameter of the vessel was 0.8 mm with a mean length of 1.2 cm. The artery was found to be more common in male specimens and on left sides (p < 0.05). Bilateral occurrence was seen in one male specimen.

Knowledge of the ADS may be important during approaches to the ambient cistern or in interpretation of imaging such as its involvement in tentorial arteriovenous malformations.