Ophthalmic Arteries Arising from the Bilateral Anterior Cerebral Arteries Diagnosed by Three-Dimensional Time-of-Flight Magnetic Resonance Angiography

BACKGROUND: The ophthalmic artery (OA) is a very important branch of the supraclinoid segment of the internal carotid artery. Origination of the OA from the anterior cerebral artery is an extremely rare condition. Being unaware of the origin anomalies of OAs can lead to unfavorable results, especially in cases in which craniofacial surgery or cerebral therapeutic angiography is planned. CASE DESCRIPTION: An anomalous origin of the ipsilateral OAs from the A1 segments of the bilateral anterior cerebral arteries was detected by three-dimensional time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography. CONCLUSIONS: Anomalous origin of the OA from the anterior cerebral artery may be explained by a failure in the caudal migration of the ventral OA. Because of high soft tissue resolution and absence of radiation, three-dimensional time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography is preferred for detection of orbital and cerebral vascular anomalies.