Aims and objectives
Arterial blood vessels supplying the brain are divided into anterior and posterior flows according to internal carotid arterial system and the vertebro‑basilar arterial system [1].
The posterior communicating arteries (Pcomm) are the main links through which these two flows connected.
These arteries with other arteries of Circle of Willis (COW) provide circular cerebral blood flow [2,
3].
Posterior communicating arteries according pathoanatomical studies are detected at autopsy in 90 to 98% of cases [2].
And only in a small percentage of cases (about 2% according...
Methods and materials
54 patients aged 25 to 57 years who underwent MRI examination of the brain using non-contrast angiography in our clinic in the period from 17.05.18 to 29.09.2018 who were included in the study.
Patients were without a history of atherosclerosis of the carotid in anamnesis have been included in the study.
The study was performed using 1.5 Tesla MR-scanner according to the standard protocol used in our clinic for MRI angiography of the cerebral arteries.
We used 3-dimensional (3D) time-of-flight (TOF) impulse sequence with 1...
Results
Pcomm were visualized in 34 (63%) patients: in 18 patients - unilateral,
in 16 patients - bilateral.
Variant anatomy related to COW was found in 26 (48%) patients
The main COW variants were identified:
Posterior ICA trifurcation in 13 (24%) patients
ACA А1 segment hypoplasia in 5 (9%) patients
V4 segment VA hypoplasia in 8 (15%) patients
Most frequently posterior ICA trifurcation was detected (13 patients – 24%).
This variant refers to the fetal brain blood supply type which remains in adulthood.
In this variant...
Conclusion
The obtained data on the combination of anatomical variants of COW with the presence of Pcomm prove the hypothesis of the appointment of Pcomm to represent the collateral blood flow of the brain.
Variants that reflect the decrease in blood flow in the anterior and posterior cerebral circulation - ACA hypoplasia and VA hypoplasia were most often combined with the presence of Pcomm (80% and 100%,
respectively).
It was noted the prevalence of Pcomm larger diameter in case combination with ACA or VA hypoplasia.
Moreover,...
Personal information
Clinical hospital MEDSI in Botkin avenue.
Moscow,2-nd Botkinsky proezd,
5,
building 3 and 4.
Botkin hospital
Scientific and Practical Center of Medical Radiology.
Department of Health of Moscow.Moscow,Srednyaya kalitnikovskaya str.,
28,
p.
1
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Circle of Willis Configuration as a...
