Utilizing the supreme anterior connecting artery in embolization of a parietal lobe arteriovenous malformation

Abstract

Background The supreme anterior connecting artery (SAConnA) is an exceedingly rare anatomical variant. This artery may interconnect bilateral anterior cerebral arteries (ACAs), yet its existence and clinical implications are scarcely discussed in the literature. Case description A 60-year-old man with no significant past medical or family history presented to our emergency department. He exhibited right homonymous hemianopsia and Gerstmann's syndrome. Cranial computed tomography indicated a left parietal lobar hemorrhage, and digital subtraction angiography revealed a flow-related aneurysm in the anterior communicating artery, with the arteriovenous malformation (AVM) receiving blood supply from the anterior, middle, and posterior cerebral arteries. Notably, the angiography also disclosed the presence of a SAConnA. We adopted a treatment approach of staged embolizations followed by resection. During the second session, the SAConnA was utilized for the embolization of feeding arteries within the ACA system. Conclusions This case demonstrates that SAConnA can be associated with AVMs and can serve as an access route during AVM embolization. SAConnA may be a remnant artery interconnecting bilateral ACAs formed during early embryogenesis.