Neuroanatomical variants of clinical importance in the population of Ethiopia

The causes of neuroanatomical variations are yet unknown despite understanding their presence will have significant impact in improving medicolegal issues, diagnostics, imaging and therapeutics in the future. Neuroanatomical variations in the branching patterns of the brachial plexus and sciatic nerve have been reported in several populations but rarely in Ethiopia. After an ethical approval by the institutions involved, twenty‐four bodies were examined in both sexes in accordance with the guidelines of Grant's dissection principle and Cunningham's manual of practical anatomy in sampled governmental and private Schools of Medicine in Ethiopia. Critical observation, careful dissection and imaging were done accordingly. We found anteriorly communicating fibers of musculocutaneous and median nerve in (6.3%), posteriorly communicating fibers of ulnar with radial nerve in (2.1%) and higher pelvic division of anterior and posterior fibers of sciatic nerve in (6.3%) of Ethiopians. Identification of these variants will help the neurologists to make a proper diagnosis of sensorimotor symptoms and of considerable significance to surgeons and orthopaedicians when dealing with patients of neural entrapment syndromes, posttraumatic evaluations and exploratory interventions. Altogether, the findings show the existence of neuroanatomical variants of clinical importance that needs special consideration in the treatment and diagnosis of this diversified population of diverse genetic and geographical origins, which also was assumed as the cradle of mankind.