The appearance and clinical significance of persistent carotid-basilar artery anastomoses diagnosed by CT and MR angiography / 实用放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the appearance of CT angiography(CTA)and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA)in persis-tent carotid-basilar artery anastomoses,and discuss its clinical significance.Methods 1 7 patients of persistent carotid-basilar artery anastomoses diagnosed by CT and MR angiography were retrospectively reviewed.10 patients were examined by craniocervical CTA, 7 patients were examined by cranial and cervical MRA,and 3 patients were examined by CTA and MRA.Results 10 patients had persistent trigeminal arteries (PTA).Based on Saltzman type6 cases were Saltzman type Ⅰ,2 cases were Saltzman typeⅡ,and 2 cases were Saltzman type Ⅲ.1 case of 3 persistent hypoglossal arteries(PHA)originated from the right carotid artery,and 2 cases originated from the left external carotid artery.2 cases of 4 proatlantal intersegmental artery(PIA)were right ipsilateral,and 2 cases were left ipsilateral.1 case of PTA and 1 case of PHA associated with an aneurysm.6 cases of PTA,2 cases of PHA and 1 case of PIA complicated with ipsilateral vertebral arteries artopied or hypoplasia of the contralateral vertebral artery.Conclusion CTA and MRA can demonstrate clearly the course of persistent carotid-basilar artery anastomoses and its complicating intracranial coexisting abnormalities.Diagnosis of this anatomic variation may be helpful for providing reliable data to the guidance of surgery and interven-tional treatment.