Digital subtraction angiography characteristics of ophthalmic artery and its main branches in ischemic cerebrovascular disease

Objective To observe the digital subtraction angiography (DSA) characteristics of ophthalmic artery and its main branches in ischemic cerebrovascular disease (ICVD).Methods The internal carotid arteries,external carotid arteries and ophthalmic arteries of 32 ICVD patients were examined for DSA.The characteristics of ophthalmic artery origin,trail and main branches were observed.Results Among 64 carotid arteries of 32 patients,there was one carotid artery with internal occlusion,there was no severe stenosis in the other 63 carotid arteries.The 63 ophthalmic arteries originated all from supraclinoidal and ophthalmic segments of internal carotid arteries.58 ophthalmic arteries were single branch from the internal carotid artery.5 ophthalmic arteries had 2 branches,one come from the internal carotid artery,the other come from the middle meningeal artery (external carotid artery branch ) in 4 cases or from the anterior cerebral artery (carotid artery branch) in 1 case.The main branches of ophthalmic artery included central retinal artery,posterior ciliary artery,lacrimal gland artery,ocular muscular artery; anterior ethmoid artery,posterior ethmoid artery,supraorbital artery,dorsal nasal artery,supratrochlear artery and eyelid artery.The beginning point of each branches were variable.Conclusions Ophthalmic arteries of ICVD patients primary arise from the internal carotid artery.It most often appears as single branch and occasionally as double branches.The beginning points of major branches of ophthalmic artery are variable. Key words: Ophthalmic artery/anatomy & histology;  Angiography, digital subtraction