INTRODUCTIONThe superficial and deep palmar arterial arches are the main sources of blood supply to all structures in the human hand, and variations in these arterial arches are quite common. Although several studies have reported diameters and variations of these arches, to the authors' knowledge, no study has correlated such changes to handedness in adults. It is likely that dominance may play a role in arterial variations, such as those seen in the diameter or number of arteries formed in the palmar arches, much like in other areas of the human body. This cadaver study was conducted to determine any such association.

METHODS42 formalin-fixed hands were dissected to expose the superficial and deep palmar arches. These arches were then thoroughly examined for any variations between the dominant and non-dominant hands. All cadavers were noted to be right-handed as per hospital records.

RESULTS19 complete superficial arterial arches (right hand 14; left hand 5) were found in the 42 hands dissected.

CONCLUSIONMost complete superficial palmar arches were found in the dominant hand of the cadavers studied, and therefore, handedness may have a role to play in determining palmar arterial arch variations in humans. Due to dominance or handedness, some arteries may likely persist into adulthood while others may become obliterated, thus leading to variations. Dissection of foetal hands may help to shed more light on the persistence or obliteration of various arteries after birth. Knowledge of such variations may prove helpful for surgeons during hand surgeries.

Cadaver ; Functional Laterality ; Hand ; anatomy & histology ; physiology ; Hand Deformities ; Humans ; Radial Artery ; anatomy & histology ; Ulnar Artery ; anatomy & histology

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to differentiate ischemic central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) from nonischemic CRVO during the early acute phase using plasma homocysteine as a biochemical marker. METHODS: Fasting plasma homocysteine, serum vitamin B12, and folate levels were measured in 108 consecutive unilateral elderly adult (age >50 years) ischemic CRVO patients in the absence of local and systemic disease and compared with a total of 144 age and sex matched nonischemic CRVO patients and 120 age and sex matched healthy control subjects. RESULTS: Homocysteine level was significantly increased in the patients with ischemic CRVO in comparison with nonischemic CRVO patients (p = 0.009) and also in comparison with control subjects (p < 0.001). Analysis also showed that hyperhomocysteinemia was associated with increased incidence of ischemic CRVO (odds ratio, 18) than that for nonischemic CRVO (odds ratio, 4.5). Serum vitamin B12 and folate levels were significantly lower (p < 0.001) in CRVO patients compared to the control but were not significantly different between nonischemic and ischemic CRVO patients (p > 0.1). CONCLUSIONS: Hyperhomocysteinemia can be regarded as useful in differentiating nonischemic and ischemic CRVO during the early acute phase in absence of local and systemic disease in the elderly adult (age >50 years) population.
Acute Disease ; Aged ; Biomarkers/*blood ; Case-Control Studies ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyperhomocysteinemia/blood/*complications/diagnosis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Retinal Vein Occlusion/complications/*diagnosis ; Time Factors