Three-Dimensional Morphometric Analysis of Anterior Cerebral Circulation Aneurysms

Area of Science:

• Neuroradiology
• Vascular Imaging
• Cerebrovascular Diseases

Background:

• Intracranial aneurysms are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality.
• Identifying predictive factors for aneurysm formation is crucial for early detection and prevention.
• Anterior circulation aneurysms are common and associated with specific demographic and morphological characteristics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the association between anterior circulation morphometry and the presence of intracranial aneurysms.
• To identify specific imaging and demographic features predictive of intracranial aneurysms.
• To explore potential screening markers for intracranial aneurysms in resource-limited settings.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 206 patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms and matched controls.
• Utilized three-dimensional rotational angiography (3DRA) for detailed vascular imaging.
• Performed quantitative measurements of vascular morphology using automated software.

Main Results:

• Female sex, C-shape of the middle cerebral artery (MCA), distal internal carotid artery (ICA) diameter, ICA bifurcation angle, and carotid siphon length were significant predictors.
• Odds ratios ranged from 2.71 for female sex to 3.42 for distal ICA diameter.
• These morphological features of the ICA and MCA suggest potential for aneurysm prediction.

Conclusions:

• Specific morphological characteristics of the internal carotid artery and middle cerebral artery, along with female sex, are associated with anterior circulation aneurysms.
• These findings can inform screening strategies, potentially using more accessible imaging modalities like CT or MRI.
• Further research may validate these predictors for wider clinical application in aneurysm screening.