The occipital artery: a meta-analysis of its anatomy with clinical correlations

The occipital artery arises as one of the main branches of the external carotid artery. The goal of the present meta-analysis was to provide a detailed analysis of the complete anatomy of the occipital artery using the available data in the literature. The main online medical databases such as PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar were used to gather all studies on anatomical variations, course, branches, and the close anatomical area of the occipital artery. A total of 65 studies were indicated, evaluated, and included in this meta-analysis. The occipital artery was found to run in the groove with a prevalence of 83.93% (95% confidence intervals: 50.53-100.00%). The occipital artery forming a common trunk with another artery had a prevalence of 13.91% (95% confidence intervals: 9.15-19.47%). The mean maximal diameter of the occipital artery was set to 2.26 mm (standard error = 0.15). The mean maximal diameter of the occipital segment of the occipital artery was found to be 1.24 mm (standard error = 0.15). The mean occipital artery length was set to 131.93 mm (standard error = 3.02). In conclusion, the authors of the present study believe that this is the most accurate and up-to-date meta-analysis regarding the anatomy of the occipital artery. Knowledge about this structure can be of great use when performing revascularization procedures, such as the occipital artery-posterior inferior cerebellar artery bypass, or reconstructive procedures, such as the occipital artery fascial flap.