Persistent Trigeminal Artery and Posterior Circulation Stroke: A Rare Presentation

Abstract

The persistent trigeminal artery is a rare embryonic developmental anomaly which is encountered frequently. In embryonic life it maintains posterior blood circulation before the development of posterior circulation blood vessels and once normal circulation gets stabilized it undergoes natural regression. The persistent trigeminal artery originates from the cavernous segment of the internal carotid artery and connects the basilar artery. This study reports an accidental finding during evaluation for the cause of posterior fossa stroke. It is also associated with various vascular pathologies like aneurysms, vascular nerve compression, trigeminal cavernous fistulas, and thromboembolic ischemia like ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack. In large artery stroke, it also acts as collateral and maintains perfusion. We describe the case of a patient who presented with complaints of giddiness, diplopia, vomiting, and imbalance while walking, in which the infarction may have been limited by a persistent trigeminal artery.

Keywords

anatomical variation - persistent trigeminal artery - stroke

Publikationsverlauf

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
29. Mai 2025

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