Radio-Anatomical Variations of Both Origin and Foraminal Entrance of Vertebral Arteries in Black African Human: Experience from Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract

The vertebral arteries (VAs) are a system of two blood vessels through which blood is transported to the posterior cerebral fossa. VAs may emerge at different sides from the aortic ostium. The aim of our study was to establish a reference of radio-anatomical variations of the VAs in black African human from Côte d’Ivoire experience. Materials and Methods: Forty patients underwent Computed Angio-Tomography (CAT) of the supra-aortic vessels (SAoVs). Included in our study were patients who underwent CAT of the SAoV from January 2019 to December 2021, those excluded in our study as Caucasians and other leucoderma humans. This exclusion allowed for highlighting only black humans VAs variations. The variations of both origins and foraminal entrance of VA were assessed. We carried out a model of univariate regression for assessing the occurrence of VA variations related to demographic included mainly age, gender and clinical features. Results: The average age was 48 ± 12 years with 0.66 of sex ratio. The most frequent indication for carrying out CAT was brain ischemic stroke assessment (25%). The atypical origin of the VAs out of subclavian arteries (SCA) was 25%. Origin from the aortic arch (AoA) was 17.5%. Six (15%) were unilateral while one (2.5%) was bilateral variation from a common trunk as pattern. Bilateral sixth cervical foramina inlet was 85%. Female sex and ischemic stroke assessment had a statistically significant correlation. Conclusion: VAs variations studies in black African human are lacking in the literature. Our findings depicted a considerable amount of VAs variations opening the field for further observational studies in black African human.