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Circle of Willis variations and artery diameter measurements in the Turkish population
Affiliations- Department of Radiology, Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, Faculty of Medicine, Muğla, Turkey
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Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of circle of Willis (COW) variations and the measurements of the COW vessel diameters in the Turkish population.
Materials and methods: The patient population for this single-centre, retrospective study was formed of patients who had brain magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). A total of 384 subjects were included in the study. The three-dimensional time-of-flight (TOF) technique was used for MRA imaging to evaluate the anatomy of the COW. Variations in the COW were recorded. The diameters of the critical arteries of the COW were measured.
Results: Adult configuration of the COW was determined in 326 (85%) cases, foetal configuration in 50 (13%) cases and transitional configuration in 8 (2%) cases. The COW was normal in 328 (85.4%). In the remaining 56 (14.6%) cases, agenesis was determined in 62 vessels. The mean calibrations of the vessels were measured as 2.85 mm in the basilar artery, 4.24 mm in the right internal carotid artery (ICA), 4.32 mm in the left ICA, 1.58 mm in the right A1, 1.64 mm in the left A1, 2.13 mm in the right M1, 2.10 mm in the left M1, 1.80 mm in the right P1, 1.88 mm in the left P1, 1.12 mm in the right posterior communicating artery, and 1.12 mm in the left posterior communicating artery.
Conclusions: Circle of Willis variations may show geographic and ethnic differences. Knowledge of the frequency and types of variation in the population is important for neurosurgeons and in radiological interventional procedures as a guide for entry and in respect of collateral which could develop later
Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of circle of Willis (COW) variations and the measurements of the COW vessel diameters in the Turkish population.
Materials and methods: The patient population for this single-centre, retrospective study was formed of patients who had brain magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). A total of 384 subjects were included in the study. The three-dimensional time-of-flight (TOF) technique was used for MRA imaging to evaluate the anatomy of the COW. Variations in the COW were recorded. The diameters of the critical arteries of the COW were measured.
Results: Adult configuration of the COW was determined in 326 (85%) cases, foetal configuration in 50 (13%) cases and transitional configuration in 8 (2%) cases. The COW was normal in 328 (85.4%). In the remaining 56 (14.6%) cases, agenesis was determined in 62 vessels. The mean calibrations of the vessels were measured as 2.85 mm in the basilar artery, 4.24 mm in the right internal carotid artery (ICA), 4.32 mm in the left ICA, 1.58 mm in the right A1, 1.64 mm in the left A1, 2.13 mm in the right M1, 2.10 mm in the left M1, 1.80 mm in the right P1, 1.88 mm in the left P1, 1.12 mm in the right posterior communicating artery, and 1.12 mm in the left posterior communicating artery.
Conclusions: Circle of Willis variations may show geographic and ethnic differences. Knowledge of the frequency and types of variation in the population is important for neurosurgeons and in radiological interventional procedures as a guide for entry and in respect of collateral which could develop later
Keywords
circle of Willis, arterial diameter, variation, magnetic resonance angiography
About this articleTitle
Circle of Willis variations and artery diameter measurements in the Turkish population
Journal
Issue
Article type
Original article
Pages
420-425
Published online
2017-01-13
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3126
Article views/downloads
2441
DOI
Pubmed
Bibliographic record
Folia Morphol 2017;76(3):420-425.
Keywords
circle of Willis
arterial diameter
variation
magnetic resonance angiography
Authors
I. Ö. Yeniçeri
N. Çullu
M. Deveer
E. N. Yeniçeri
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