A Case of Duplicated Origin of the Left Vertebral Artery: CTA and MRA Findings and Literature Review

Abstract

Duplication of the vertebral artery (VA) is rare but clinically significant. This variant shows a dual origin of VA with fusion at variable levels in the neck. It can be misdiagnosed as a dissection of the VA, arterial hypoplasia, or narrowing on selective catheter angiography. Thorough knowledge of this variation before an endovascular procedure is helpful in preventing unintentional diagnostic or therapeutic challenges. We report a case of a 52-year-old female patient with left duplicated VA, which was incidentally detected by magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and contrast-enhanced computed tomography angiography (CTA). We have also reviewed the literature and discussed the embryological development of duplicated VA. This report can be helpful in identifying unexpected vascular variations on CTA or MRA and differentiate this anatomical variation from other pathologic conditions in clinical practice such as dissection, arterial hypoplasia, or arterial narrowing.