The inferior mesenteric artery arising from the superior mesenteric artery is an extremely rare anatomic variation. We report a case with this variation demonstrated with 3-dimensional contrast-enhanced computed tomography, which later was confirmed at surgery. The ordinary inferior mesenteric artery arising from the aorta was absent. Previously reported cases with this variation are reviewed. 3-dimensional contrast-enhanced computed tomography is useful for in vivo visualization of aberrant arterial anatomy.
Keywords: 3D-CT; Anatomy; Inferior mesenteric artery; Superior mesenteric artery; Variation.
© 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of University of Washington.