Aberrant Vessel with Potential Catastrophic Vascular Complications in a Patient with Chiari Malformation.

Abstract

Craniovertebral junction anomalies are known to be associated with many bony, soft tissue, and vascular anomalies. We encountered a case of Chiari malformation type 1 with C2-D2 syrinx, in which computed tomography angiography showed an aberrant vessel (probably vein) coursing through the soft tissue along the posterior aspect of C1-C7 vertebral bodies along the right-sided joints, superiorly coursing posterior to C1-C2 joint and curving anteriorly over C1 to enter into the foramen magnum. Had this abnormality not been detected, catastrophic vascular consequences could have occurred.