Aortic quadfurcation with persistent left sciatic artery: an extremely rare anatomic variant in a 3-year-old boy
Anthony Ho1, Jacob Slagle1, Ranjith Vellody1
1Interventional Radiology Service, Children's National Hospital, Washington, D.C.
Summary
This study reports an extremely rare aortoiliac anatomical variant in a pediatric patient, involving the absence of common iliac arteries and quadfurcation of the abdominal aorta. The findings highlight unusual vascular anatomy in children.
Area of Science:
- Vascular anatomy
- Pediatric radiology
- Interventional radiology
Background:
- Aortoiliac variant anatomy is infrequently reported, particularly in pediatric cases.
- Hypertension in children necessitates investigation into potential renovascular etiologies.
- Congenital anomalies, such as polydactyly and syndactyly, may be associated with broader genetic or developmental conditions.
Observation:
- A 3-year-old male presented with hypertension and congenital foot anomalies.
- Diagnostic angiography was performed to evaluate for renovascular causes of hypertension.
- The patient exhibited bilateral absence of the common iliac arteries.
Findings:
- A rare quadfurcation of the abdominal aorta was identified, directly branching into bilateral internal and external iliac arteries.
- A persistent left sciatic artery was also noted during the angiographic examination.
- This represents an extremely rare congenital aortoiliac anatomical variant.
Implications:
- Understanding rare vascular variants is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning in pediatric interventional radiology.
- Such anomalies may influence surgical approaches and hemodynamic assessments in affected children.
- Further research into the embryological basis and clinical significance of these rare variants is warranted.
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