(784.5) The Relevance of the Adamkiewicz Artery Anatomical Variations for Resection of Spinal Tumors

Poster Board Number: C86
Introduction: AAA has separate poster presentation times for odd and even posters.
Odd poster #s – 10:15 am – 11:15 am
Even poster #s – 11:15 am – 12:15 pm

Luis Navedo-Sánchez (Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine), Cheysaliz Pérez-Verdejo (Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine), Caleb Feliciano (University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus), Rafael Rodríguez-Mercado (University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus), Jailenne Quiñones-Rodríguez (Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine)

The artery of Adamkiewickz (AKA) is the most prominent radiculomedullary artery derived between T9 to L2 vertebral segments, supplying oxygenated blood to the caudal thoracic and lumbar regions of the spinal cord. Anatomical comprehension of this artery is important to avoid serious neurological complications during surgery treating intraspinal tumors and spinal vascular malformations. This study aimed to review the published literature on iatrogenic injury to anatomical variations in the AKA, clinical significance, as well as assess diverse radiological imaging techniques used to visualize this vessel before surgery. A retrospective study was performed from 2016 to 2021 using PubMed as our primary search engine, to better focus on the recent five-year range findings. As multiple variations related to the AKA are found in the various demographics around the world, surgical approaches can be improved to preserve the neurovascular structures. Thus, understanding the importance of neurovascular anatomical variations will help to comprehend spinal cord irrigation which is imperative for the safe and effective therapeutic planning and avoidance of complications.