Persistent Carotid-Vertebrobasilar Anastomosis: Radiologic Findings

PURPOSE: To evaluate the radiologic findings of carotid-vertebrobasilar anastomosis and associated anomalies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirteen patients with fourteen cases of carotid-vertebrobasilar anastomosis collectedfrom January 1992 to December 1997 were reviewed. Clinical diagnosis refered for cerebral angiography werecerebral infarction(n=3), intracranial hemorrhage(n=2), subarachnoid hemorrhage(n=1), brain tumor(n=3),arteriovenous malformation(n=3) and trigeminal neuralgia(n=1). Cerebral angiograms and clinical symptoms wereretrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The fourteen carotid-vertebrobasilar anastomsis consisted of eleven cases ofpersistent trigeminal artery and three cases of type I proatantal intersegmental artery. Persistent trigeminalarteries were associated with anterior communicating artery aneurysm(n=1), posterior fossa arteriovenousmalformation(n=2) and persistent trigeminal artery variant(n=5). Type I proatantal intersegmental arteries wereassociated with hypoplastic vertebral arteries(n=2) : only proximal segment in one, and proximal and distalsegments in one case. Only one patient had clinical symptom related to the carotid-vertebrobasilar anastomosiswhich was trigeminal neuralgia. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of the anatomical and radiologic findings ofcarotid-vertebrobasilar anastomosis and associated anomalies will aid in the accurate diagnosis of neurovasculardisease and prevent possible complications during surgical and interventional procedures.

Nonpalpable Breast Cancer: Mammographic and Clinical findings

PURPOSE: To evaluate the mammographic and clinical findings of nonpalpable breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 28 of 607 breast cancer patients examined between January 1994 and April 1997, lesions werenonpalpable. We retrospectively analyzed the mammographic, clinical and pathologic features of 25 patients (28lesions) whose mammograms we obtained. RESULTS: Among these 25 patients (28 lesions) screening was abnormal in22; other symptoms were bloody nipple discharge(n=4), and nipple eczema(n=2). The patients were 34-62 (mean 52)years old. Invasive ductal carcinoma(n=13), DCIS(ductal carcinoma in situ, n-12), Paget's disease (n=2), andLCIS(lobular carcinoma in situ, n=1) were found during surgery. Six of 28 lesions(21%) showed evidence of axillarynodal metastasis;the majority arose from the upper outer quadrant of the breast (n=21). The mammographic findingswere mass (50%), (and mass with microcalcification, 11%); microcalcification(29%); asymmetrical density(14%); andnormal (7%). According to the mammographic density of breast parenchyma, the major finding in the low densitygroup(N1+P1) was mas (9/9), and in the high density group(P2+DY) was microcalcification (12/19). CONCLUSION: Themost common mammographic findings of nonpable breast cancer were mass (50%) and microcalcification(29%). Itsfeatures varied according to the mammographic density of breast parenchyma;mass was the main finding in the lowdensity group and microcalcification in the high density group.