Morphological Characteristics of the Posterior Cerebral Circulation: An Analysis Based on Non-Invasive Imaging

To provide measurements of the posterior cerebral circulation using a non-invasive imaging modality.

One-hundred and twenty patients aged from 12 to 76 years were analyzed using computed tomography (CT) angiography. Measurements of vertebral arteries (VA), basilar artery, posterior cerebral arteries (PCA) and posterior communicating arteries were obtained. Basilar artery appearance and curvature were also noted. Differences between sides, genders and age groups were evaluated.

Mean diameter of left VA was 2.36±0.81 mm, and mean diameter of right VA was 2.14 ± 0.79 mm. Mean length of basilar artery was 34.07 ± 5.53 mm in males, and 30.79 ± 4.18 mm in females. There was a significant difference in basilar artery length between genders: males had a longer basilar artery (p < 0.01). There was significant difference in basilar artery diameters between patients younger and older than 60 years: older patients had a statistically larger diameter, 3.17 ± 0.76 mm, than the 2.87 ± 0.57 mm in younger patients (p < 0.05). The basilar artery was straight in 36.7%, convex to the right in 47.5% and convex to the left in 14.2% of the patients. Mean diameter of the left P1 was 1.80 ± 0.58 mm, and of the right 1.87 ± 0.54 mm. There was no statistically significant difference between the diameters of the left and right P1 segments of the PCA and also between genders (p > 0.05).

Modern non-invasive imaging modalities can provide precise and useful information for vessels analysis. This information may be useful for planning and performing neuro-interventional procedures as well as posterior cranial fossa surgeries.