Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 17, 2025
Focal Cerebral Ischemia Model by Endovascular Suture Occlusion of the Middle Cerebral Artery in the Rat
Published on: February 5, 2011
Anatomical characteristics of the styloid process in cerebral infarction related to carotid artery dissection: a
Shuna Shi1, Limei Wang1, Haiyang Luo1
1Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
Insights
Longer styloid processes and increased inclination angles are associated with carotid artery dissection (CAD). This study suggests these anatomical variations may be risk factors for stroke caused by carotid artery dissection.
Area of Science:
- Anatomical variations
- Cerebrovascular disease
- Radiology
Background:
- Cerebral infarction can result from carotid artery dissection (CAD).
- The styloid process's anatomical features, specifically its length and inclination angle, are hypothesized to influence CAD risk.
- Understanding these anatomical factors may improve stroke prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between styloid process length/inclination angle and cerebral infarction in patients with carotid artery dissection.
- To compare these anatomical measurements between patients with carotid artery dissection, vertebral artery dissection, and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective, single-center, case-control study.
- Inclusion of patients with internal carotid artery dissection, vertebral artery dissection, and non-dissection controls.
- Measurement of styloid process length and inclination angle via computed tomography angiography.
Main Results:
- Styloid process length in carotid artery dissection patients was significantly longer compared to controls.
- The inclination angle of the styloid process in carotid artery dissection patients was significantly larger than in vertebral artery dissection patients and controls.
- No significant difference in styloid process length was found between carotid artery dissection and vertebral artery dissection groups.
Conclusions:
- Elongated styloid process length and increased inclination angle are potential risk factors for carotid artery dissection.
- These anatomical variations may contribute to the pathogenesis of stroke secondary to CAD.
Purpose:
To verify the hypothesis that length and inclination angle of the styloid process may lead to cerebral infarction related to carotid artery dissection through comparison of the length and inclination angle of the styloid process in middle-aged and young stroke patients undergoing carotid artery dissection, vertebral artery dissection, and non-dissection controls.
Methods:
This was a Retrospective, single-center, case-control study that enrolled patients with cerebral infarction related to internal carotid artery dissection, vertebral artery dissection, and non-dissection controls. Eighteen patients with carotid artery dissection patients (cases) were compared with 34 sex-matched patients with vertebral artery dissection (G1) and 55 sex-matched patients without dissection (G2). The length and inclination angle of the styloid process were measured using Computed tomography angiography images. Differences between groups were estimated using the Student's t-test.
Results:
Styloid process length ipsilateral to the carotid artery dissection was not significantly longer than that of the contralateral side of the cases (p > 0.05), or to those of the ipsilateral and contralateral sides in patients with vertebral artery dissection (p > 0.05). The styloid process length ipsilateral to the dissection was significantly longer than those of the left and right sides of control patients (p < 0.05 for both), while the inclination angle of the cases was significantly larger than those of the ipsilateral and contralateral sides of the vertebral artery dissection patients (p < 0.05), and to the left and right sides of control patients (both p < 0.05).
Conclusion:
Long styloid process length and a large inclination angle appear to be risk factors for carotid artery dissection (CAD).
More Related Videos
05:32Author Spotlight: Assessing Ischemic Stroke Damage Through Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Model
Published on: August 11, 2023
09:11Performing Permanent Distal Middle Cerebral with Common Carotid Artery Occlusion in Aged Rats to Study Cortical Ischemia with Sustained Disability
Published on: February 23, 2016
Related Concept Videos
01:26Arteries of the Head and Neck
The internal carotid arteries supply blood to the anterior portion of the cerebrum. They enter the...
01:10The Arch of Aorta
Encircling the heart, the coronary arteries form a ring-like structure before...