Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Tokyo University Graduate School of Medicine, Hongo 7-3-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan.
Int J Clin Oncol. 2011 Dec;16(6):654-9. doi: 10.1007/s10147-011-0238-y. Epub 2011 May 3.
The branching patterns of the external carotid artery vary among individuals, and consideration of the proximity of nerves is important during catheter insertion in superselective intra-arterial infusion via the superficial temporal artery. We aimed to evaluate the anatomy of the external carotid artery and its surrounding nerves for safe and accurate administration of superselective intra-arterial chemotherapy via the superficial temporal artery.
We analyzed the external carotid artery and its branches morphometrically in 28 Japanese cadavers (56 sides).
Vascular tortuosity in the preauricular region of the catheter insertion site was observed in 42.9% of the sides; the main trunk of the external carotid artery was excessively tortuous in 25.0% of the sides, primarily in the preparotid region. Faciolingual and superior thyrolingual trunks were observed in 28.6 and 1.8% of the sides, respectively. The superior thyroid, lingual, facial, occipital, and maxillary arteries branched from the external carotid artery above the carotid bifurcation in 41.1% of the sides. The mean distance between the insertion site and maxillary artery was 39.5 mm, indicating the extent of catheter insertion. The auriculotemporal nerve was observed near the superficial temporal artery in the preauricular region in 44.6% of the sides; however, the clearly identifiable nerves in the exposed area were difficult to avoid.
Because of the branching variations observed in individuals and sides, preoperative angiography is extremely important for avoiding complications.
颈外动脉的分支模式在个体之间存在差异，在通过颞浅动脉进行超选择性动脉内输注时，考虑到神经的接近程度非常重要。我们旨在评估颈外动脉及其周围神经的解剖结构，以确保通过颞浅动脉安全、准确地进行超选择性动脉内化疗。
我们对 28 具日本尸体（56 侧）的颈外动脉及其分支进行了形态学分析。
在导管插入部位的耳前区域，42.9%的侧支存在血管迂曲；25.0%的侧支颈外动脉主干过度迂曲，主要在腮腺前区。28.6%的侧支存在面舌骨干和上舌骨肌干，分别有 1.8%的侧支存在上甲状腺干、舌干、面干、枕干和上颌干。在 41.1%的侧支中，颈外动脉在颈动脉分叉上方发出上颌动脉。插入部位与上颌动脉的平均距离为 39.5mm，表明导管插入的程度。在耳前区，44.6%的侧支颞浅动脉附近观察到耳颞神经，但暴露区域中可识别的神经难以避免。
由于个体和侧支之间存在分支变异，术前血管造影对于避免并发症至关重要。
