ABSTRACT
Background: The ileocaecal region is a juncture where the ileum enters the colon and the caecum is continuousproximally with terminal ileum and distally with the ascending colon. The ileocaecal orifice is guarded byileocaecal valve. The caecum and the ileocaecal valve show significant variations in the shape and dimensions.The ileocaecal region is the common site for clinical conditions like polyps, diverticulae, volvulus &intussusception. Use of ileocaecal segment in bladder reconstruction surgery also makes anatomy of this regionmore important. The aim of our study was to elucidate the morphological variations of caecum and ileocaecalvalve and their clinical importance.Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted on 100 human cadaveric specimens, during routinedissection for the undergraduate students in the department of Anatomy, K.A.P.V. Government medical college,Trichy. The size & shape of the caecum, level of its peritoneal attachment, position & shape of the ileocaecalvalve, its dimensions, the distance between the ileocaecal and appendicular orifices were noted and measured.Results: The length of the caecum ranged from 2to 7 cm. The breadth of caecum ranged from 4.5 to 7cm. The shapeof caecum was of Adult type in 97% of cases. The caecum was completely covered by peritoneum and not fusedto the posterior abdominal wall in 75% of cases. The ileum terminates into the posteromedial aspect ofcaecumin 58% ofcases. The shape of ileocaecal orifice was slit like in 49% of cases. The height of upper labia ofileocaecal valve was within the range of 0.5cm-2.5cm, and of lower labia ranged from 0.5cm to 1cm. Thediameter of ileocaecal orifice varied from 1.1 to 2.5 cm. The distance between the ileocaecal and appendicularorifices ranged between 1.7 – 5cm.Conclusion: This study focused on normal and variant anatomy of caecum and ileocaecal junction. This studywill be of help in radiological, ultrasonic and CT diagnosis of the ileocaecal region pathology and in planning forbetter therapeutic options.
ABSTRACT
Background: Since many clinical conditions affecting the brain stem are the results of vascular lesions, profoundknowledge of vertebrobasilar circulation is of utmost clinical importance.Variations in the origin of superiorcerebellar artery(SCA) are frequently observed and these may play an important role in neurovascular compressionsyndrome, as III,IV and V cranial nerves are closely related to SCA. Being one of the frequent locations foraneurysms of posterior circulation,variations of SCA should be considered prior to any diagnostic or therapeuticprocedures in basilar tip region.Materials and Methods: The current study was conducted on 80 human cadaveric brain specimens to study thevariant origin of superior cerebellar artery, its anomalies, and to measure the dimensions of proximal segmentof SCA. The study was undertaken during routine dissection for the undergraduate students over a period of 5years.Results: 80 specimens, (i.e. 160 SCAs) were analysed. SCA arose from the basilar artery in 152 cases. In 3 casesSCA originated from posterior cerebral artery(PCA). SCA and PCA arose as common trunk in 5 cases.Out of 160SCAs, it arose as a single vessel in 129 cases. Duplication was seen in 28 cases. Triplication was found in 3 cases.Outer diameter of SCA at its origin was 1.8 ±0.5mm on the right side. On the left side it was 1.6 ±0.4mm.The lengthof the proximal segment of the SCA ranged from 9 to 24mm. The distance between SCA and PCA ranged from 0.6mmto 3.2mm.Conclusion: Our study identified significant variations in the origin of SCA as well as the dimensions of itsproximal segment. It would be useful for neuroradiologists in investigative procedures like CT, MRI and cerebralangiography. Neurosurgeons performing endovascular procedures for aneurysms and surgery for posteriorfossa tumors will also benefit from this study.