Persistent trigeminal artery detected on computed tomography angiography

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of persistent trigeminal arteries (PTAs) using computed tomography (CT) angiography, emphasize its major characteristics, and compare the findings with those reported in the relevant literature.

Patients who underwent cerebral CT angiography in our radiology clinic for any preliminary diagnosis between December 2013 and December 2020 were included in this retrospective study. The patients were reviewed in terms of their age, sex, and the presence of PTAs. The localization of the PTA, vascular connection, PTA type (according to Saltzman and Salas classification), and vascular pathology at the level of anastomoses were examined in the patients with PTAs.

A total of 1150 patients, (632 [55%] males and 518 [45%] females) were included in this study. A total of seven (0.6%) patients had PTAs. PTAs were located on the right and left sides in three (43%) and four (57%) patients, respectively. A total of three (43%), two (28%), and two (28%) cases were classified as types I, II, and III PTA based on the Saltzman classification, respectively. Moreover, four (57%) and three (43%) cases were lateral and medial types based on the Salas classification, respectively.

In conclusion, understanding the diagnosis and classification of PTAs is crucial for the diagnosis of possible vascular pathologies by neuroradiologists and physicians performing neurovascular interventional procedures or operations. If these vascular pathologies remain undetected, they may cause fatal bleeding or embolism during surgeries and endovascular procedures.