Pericallosal artery
The pericallosal artery is the continuation of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) and is named after the origin of the callosomarginal artery. As it courses over the superior surface of the corpus callosum (CC) in the pericallosal cistern it gives off many small branches to the CC, forming the pericallosal pial plexus (pericallosal moustache).
The pericallosal arteries are sonographically visible since the first trimester in 3D ultrasound scans of fetuses found to have a normal corpus callosum at follow-up 1).
The PA can routinely be observed at the first-trimester evaluation with color Doppler ultrasonography using the mid-sagittal view of the fetal head. The presence of an abnormal vascular map of the PA by Doppler ultrasonography at 11-14 weeks raises the suspicion of Agenesis of the corpus callosum 2).
The use of 3-D power Doppler sonoangiography enables the precise demonstration of the normal variants of the fetal pericallosal artery with different origins of the callosomarginal artery. The knowledge of normal variants helps to detect pathological forms of the pericallosal artery 3).