Eur J Anat, 19 (3): 287-290 (2015)

Variant origin of the superior cerebellar artery in a black Kenyan population

Julius Ogengâ??o, Hemed Elbusaidy, Simeon Sinkeet, Beda Olabu, Philip Mwachaka, Martin Inyimili

Department of Human Anatomy, University of Nairobi, Kenya

ABSTRACT Knowledge of variant origin of the superior cerebellar artery is important during neuroradiological and neurosurgical procedures at the basilar termination and clivus regions, and may influence the occurrence of atherosclerosis and aneurysms. These variations show ethnic differences, but there are hardly any reports on the black African population. This study therefore examined the various origins of 394 superior cerebellar arteries from 173 brains of black adult Kenyans, obtained during autopsy at the Department of Human Anatomy, University of Nairobi, Kenya. The cranial cavity was opened and the brain removed en bloc. Arachnoid matter was gently removed to expose the arteries at the base of the brain. The distal third of the basilar artery was exposed and superior cerebellar artery identified as that which supplied the superior surface of the cerebellar hemispheres. It was traced to its origin and the source recorded. Representative patterns were photographed with a high resolution digital camera. The data were analyzed for frequency and are presented in macrographs and a table. The conventional single artery origin from the basilar artery was present in only 284 (72.1%) cases. In the remainder, it was duplicated in 84 (21.3%), originated from posterior cerebral artery in 16 (4.0%) and from common trunk with posterior cerebral artery in 10 (2.5%) cases. Variant origin of the superior cerebellar artery occurred in nearly 28% of cases studied. This influences the pattern of termination of the basilar artery, may complicate posterior cranial fossa surgery and predispose to atherosclerosis and aneurysms. Preoperative evaluation of the superior cerebellar artery is recommended.

Keywords: Superior cerebellar artery, Kenyans