Evaluation of the prevalence of persistent median artery

Introduction: The anatomically developing ulnar artery (a. ulnaris) and radial artery (a. radialis) progress along the forearm in the upper extremity, providing blood supply to the forearm and hand. However, anatomical variations that arise from the germ layers during embryonic development can lead to etiological factors for various pathological conditions throughout life. One such anatomical variation is the persistent median artery. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of persistent median artery variation in the general population. Methods: This study was conducted retrospectively at Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine. In the study, persistent median artery scanning was performed on ultrasonographic images of both forearms by radiology specialists and assistant physicians, and the patients' ages, genders, and artery diameters were determined. The findings were then subjected to a prevalence analysis, which incorporated the use of subgroups. Results: The study included a total of 636 participants, with 66.8% of the participants being female. The mean age of the participants was 51.87 ± 13. The persistent median artery was identified in 4.5% of the participants, with a prevalence of 2.2% in the right forearm and 3% in the left forearm. A total of 13.8% of patients with persistent median artery were observed to have bilateral involvement. The mean diameter of the right median artery was 1.27±0.53 mm, while the mean diameter in the left forearm was 0.99±0.53 mm. Additionally, 5.5% of patients experienced paresthesia. Conclusion: The persistent median artery, which is encountered with a frequency of 4.5% in the forearm circulation, represents a significant anatomical variation that should be taken into consideration due to the pathological conditions it may develop. Prior to performing any intervention in this region, it may be beneficial to utilize non-invasive imaging techniques to determine the presence of any potential variations. Keywords: Anatomical variation, Persistent Median Artery, Paresthesia