Document Detail


The course of the occipital artery--an anatomical investigation for biopsy in suspected vasculitis.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  11432796     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND: The occipital artery can show an inflammation in cranial arteritis. For biopsy it is essential to know the course of the occipital artery. METHODS: In 6 randomly selected specimens of the head, the occipital artery and vein were sought and examined. In addition, the topographical proximity of the greater occipital nerve was considered. RESULTS: Course: The occipital artery followed a tortuous course, including an occasional hairpin bend in four out of 6 specimens. Lateral distance of the occipital artery from the external occipital protuberance of the occiput: The occipital artery runs at a mean distance of 3.92 cm on the right side and 4.4 cm on the left side from the midline. Variations of the course: A comparison between the right and left side showed a marked side-difference in the course of the vessel. The extent of tortuosity varied distinctly. In most of the arteries, the angle between superior nuchal line and occipital artery was 90 degrees. External diameter: The average external diameter of the occipital artery (in the area where it crosses with the superior nuchal line) was 2.3 mm on the right side and 2.7 mm on the left side. CONCLUSION: Because the greater occipital nerve enters the subcutis below the external protuberance of the occiput and shortly afterwards crosses the occipital artery, we recommend to carry out the biopsy of the occipital artery between 1 to 3 cm above (cranially) and 4 to 5 cm lateral to the external protuberance.
Authors:
D Schmidt; G Adelmann
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  European journal of medical research     Volume:  6     ISSN:  0949-2321     ISO Abbreviation:  Eur. J. Med. Res.     Publication Date:  2001 Jun 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2001-07-02     Completed Date:  2001-09-20     Revised Date:  2007-11-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9517857     Medline TA:  Eur J Med Res     Country:  Germany    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  235-41     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Univ.-Augenklinik, Killianstr. 5, D-79106 Freiburg, Germany. schmidtd@aug.ukl.uni-freiburg.de
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Arteritis / diagnosis*,  pathology
Biopsy
Carotid Artery, External / anatomy & histology*,  pathology
Female
Giant Cell Arteritis / diagnosis,  pathology
Humans
Male

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