Microsurgical application anatomy of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery

Objective:To investigate the anterior inferior cerebellar artery(AICA)Microanatomy characteristics and variability,and identify neighbor relations and the scope of blood between adjacent skull and cranial nerve,for clinical surgery of cerebellar tumor、microvascular decompression and interventional operation in the region provide anatomical basis.Methods:Twenty-four AICAs and their branches at both sides in 12 adult brain specimens were observed anatomcally and were measured under an operative microscope,including the number of vascular,course,branches and its relations with the surrounding nerves.Results:The diameter of AICAs was 0.52mm～1.83mm.average(1.23±0.41)mm.The frequency of bilateral AICAs was 100%,The frequencies of their Branching labyrinthine artery,recurrent perforating artery,subarcuate artery,and cerebellar subarcuate artery were 100%,87.5%,79.2% and 8.3%,respectively.The frequency of AICA formed the AICA loop near the facial nerve root was 90%.The AICA loop was closely associated with the internal auditory foramen,and 80% pentrates between facial nerve and auditory nerve.Conclusion:there are some anatomical variations about AICA.Being familiar with the microanatomy of AICA helps avoid the damage of related arteries in the area of cerebellopontile angle during operation.