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Tortuous ulnar artery presenting as left distal forearm mass
Ganesh Ramakrishnan1, Rodrigue F Fontem2, Sharvil U Sheth3
1Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, Pa.
Journal of Vascular Surgery Cases and Innovative Techniques
|August 11, 2020
Summary
Tortuosity, or unusual curves, in ulnar arteries is not well-documented. This study reports two cases of tortuous ulnar arteries found during evaluations for hemodialysis access.
Area of Science:
- Vascular anatomy
- Medical intervention safety
Background:
- Anatomic variations in blood vessels are crucial for safe medical procedures.
- Vessel morphology, architecture, and course can significantly differ between individuals.
- The prevalence of arterial tortuosity in ulnar arteries is not well-established in existing literature.
Observation:
- Two cases of tortuous ulnar arteries were identified.
- These cases were observed in patients undergoing evaluation for upper extremity hemodialysis access.
Findings:
- Tortuosity is a recognized anatomic variant in various arterial systems.
- The specific prevalence of ulnar artery tortuosity requires further investigation.
Implications:
- Understanding ulnar artery anatomy is vital for successful hemodialysis access.
- Further research into vascular anomalies can improve patient outcomes and procedural safety.
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