BASILAR ARTERY ANATOMY EXAMINED WITH CTA

Abstract

Introduction: The posterior circulation of the brain constitutes the vertebrobasilar system and its branches, which are responsible for about 30% of the brain blood supply. The aim of this study was to describe the morphological characteristics of the basilar artery. Materials and methods: We examined radiographs of 103 patients who had CT angiography undertaken for a variety of clinical reasons, performed as a part of their medical treatment at the University Institute for Radiology in Skopje, Macedonia. The study population included 103 patients, 58 male and 45 females, age range from 25 - 82, mean age 58.4 years. Results: The mean length of the basilar artery was 31.60 ± 5.1 mm (from 21.4 mm to 44.1 mm). The mean diameter of the basilar artery was 3.27 ± 0.52 mm (from 2.22 to 4.87 mm). In 52.42% of the patients the basilar artery was straight, in 26.21% it was convex to right, while in 14.56% of the patients it was convex to left. In 6.79% of the patients, the basilar artery was of the “S” shape. Most of the SCA arise from the basilar artery as a single vessel. The most common variations of the SCA were duplication (frequency 1.94% on right and 0.97% on left) and origin from PCA (frequency 1.94% bilateral). In three patients (2.91%) we found fenestrations of the basilar artery. In one patient persistent trigeminal artery was found. Conclusion: A sound knowledge of basilar artery anatomy and variations is important during diagnostic, endovascular and surgical procedures.