Hexafurcation of Basilar Artery in a Black Kenyan Population

Abstract

Pattern of terminal branching of the basilar artery may influence predisposition to atherosclerosis and aneurysms. Knowledge of unusual patterns is also important in interpretation of extent of stroke and during neuroradiological and neurosurgical procedures at basilar artery termination. Two hundred brains of black Africans were studied for pattern of variant termination. We observed two cases of unusual termination: two hexafurcations. All these cases were associated with variant origin of superior cerebellar and thalamoperforator arteries. This suggests that variant termination of basilar artery may include hexafurcation consequent to unusual origin of superior cerebellar and thalamoperforator arteries. Neurosurgeons, neurophysicians, neuroradiologists should be aware of such strange terminal branching pattern if they are to avoid inadvertent vascular injury. We recommend preoperative evaluation of the region before surgery.