Exploring the anatomical configurations of the cerebral arteries in a cohort of South African patients

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Vascular Biology
• Radiology

Background:

• The circle of Willis (CoW) is vital for brain blood supply, connecting anterior and posterior cerebral arteries.
• Morphological variations in the CoW can lead to cerebrovascular disorders like stroke and aneurysms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document the morphology of cerebral arteries and the CoW in the South African population.
• To identify common variations and their prevalence.

Main Methods:

• Computed tomography angiography (CTA) scans of 239 individuals were analyzed.
• Cerebral arteries and CoW morphology were classified as complete, absent, or hypoplastic.

Main Results:

• Significant prevalence of ACA A1 hypoplasia (30.40%) and ACA A2 hypoplasia (26.28%) were observed.
• Posterior cerebral artery (PCA) hypoplasia occurred in 28.74% of cases.
• Variations like fenestration and duplication were noted in ACA A2 and MCA.

Conclusions:

• The study highlights frequent morphological variations in the circle of Willis in South Africans.
• Awareness of these variations is essential for effective neurovascular treatment and surgical planning.