Bilateral absence of common iliac artery – a cadaveric observation

The vascular malformations involving the abdominal aorta, common iliac artery and its branches are very rare. Normally the abdominal aorta bifurcates into the right and left common iliac arteries anterolateral to the fourth lumbar vertebra. In the present case, there was bilateral absence of common iliac arteries which are the terminal branches of the abdominal aorta associated with aneurysm of abdominal aorta. The reason for the absence of common iliac artery is attributed to the disappearance of the initial segment of the umbilical artery. Proper identification of anatomical variations is essential for surgical and radiological interventions in order to prevent inadvertent complications during open surgical procedure or percutaneous intervention.