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Can Styloid Process and Internal Carotid Artery Anatomy be Used to Predict Carotid Artery Dissection?

Lucinda Cruddas1, Michael Joffe1, Daryll Baker2

  • 1Royal Free Hospital, London, United Kingdom.

Annals of Vascular Surgery
|February 7, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Styloid process length and its distance to the internal carotid artery do not predict cervical carotid artery dissection (CCAD). These measurements cannot reliably forecast CCAD risk after trauma.

Area of Science:

  • Radiology
  • Vascular Surgery
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Carotid artery dissection (CCAD) is a significant cause of stroke, particularly in younger individuals.
  • Anatomical variations, specifically the relationship between the carotid artery and surrounding structures, are implicated in CCAD.
  • Investigating potential radiological predictors for CCAD is crucial for timely diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the association between styloid process length, internal carotid artery (ICA) position, and the occurrence of cervical carotid artery dissection (CCAD).
  • To determine if specific radiological measurements can serve as predictive indicators for CCAD, potentially aiding in earlier diagnosis and prevention.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective study analyzed data from 355 individuals across two London hospitals over five years.
  • Computer tomography angiography of the neck was used to identify CCAD cases and collect data on styloid process length, styloid process-internal carotid distance, and ICA aberrancy.
  • Cases were matched with non-dissection controls for age and gender.

Main Results:

  • No significant association was found between styloid process length or styloid process-internal carotid distance and CCAD.
  • Internal carotid artery aberrancy was found to be significant in non-dissection cases.
  • The study identified 50 individuals with CCAD among the 355 participants.

Conclusions:

  • Styloid process length and its distance to the internal carotid artery are not associated with CCAD.
  • These specific radiological measurements cannot be used to predict the likelihood of CCAD, especially following trauma.
Abstract

Keywords:
Carotid artery dissectionInternal carotid arteryStyloid process

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