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Detection of cerebral artery fenestrations by computed tomography angiography
- Katedra i Zakład Radiologii Lekarskiej i Radiodiagnostyki w Zabrzu. Śląski Uniwersytet Medyczny w Katowicach, 3 Maja 13-15, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
- Katedra Radiologii i Medycyny Nuklearnej, Centralny Szpital Kliniczny nr 1 w Katowicach, Śląski Uniwersytet Medyczny
- Katedra i Zakład Radiologii i Radiodiagnostyki Lekarskiej, Samodzielny Publiczny Szpital Kliniczny nr 1 w Zabrzu, Śląski Uniwersytet Medyczny
- Pracownia TK w Katowicach, HELIMED Diagnostic Imaging
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Abstract
Cerebral artery fenestrations (CAF) are rare congenital variations usually diagnosed by digital subtraction angiography (DSA). The aim of this study was to examine the frequency of occurrence of fenestrations in cerebral arteries and their coexistence with cerebral aneurysms in computed tomography angiography (CTA).
Material and methodsAll reports of cerebral CTA (1140) performed in one institution from March 2005 to December 2007 were analysed. We found 40 patients with single fenestrations of the intracranial arteries. All 40 examinations were retrospectively reviewed for location of vascular malformations and presence of aneurysms or subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). Medical histories of those patients were then analysed for evidence of SAH and referral reasons for CTA.
ResultsForty fenestrated arteries were found in CTA: 18 basilar arteries (45%), 16 anterior cerebral arteries (40%), 4 anterior communicating arteries (10%) and one middle cerebral artery (2.5%). Only one vertebral artery fenestration was found due to the technique of the examination. Six patients (15%) with fenestrated arteries had a total of 8 aneurysms, although only one aneurysm was ipsilateral to the fenestration. In 8 cases of SAH, two were with no evidence of vascular malformation. The coexistence of CAF and aneurysms in CTA amounted to 15% (6/40), but the incidence of ipsilateral aneurysm was only 2.5% (1/40) and it affected the anterior cerebral artery.
ConclusionsBasilar artery fenestration is the most frequent observed fenestration in CTA, followed by anterior cerebral artery and anterior communicating artery fenestrations. Coexistence of fenestration and aneurysm is uncommon in CTA examination.
Abstract
Cerebral artery fenestrations (CAF) are rare congenital variations usually diagnosed by digital subtraction angiography (DSA). The aim of this study was to examine the frequency of occurrence of fenestrations in cerebral arteries and their coexistence with cerebral aneurysms in computed tomography angiography (CTA).
Material and methodsAll reports of cerebral CTA (1140) performed in one institution from March 2005 to December 2007 were analysed. We found 40 patients with single fenestrations of the intracranial arteries. All 40 examinations were retrospectively reviewed for location of vascular malformations and presence of aneurysms or subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). Medical histories of those patients were then analysed for evidence of SAH and referral reasons for CTA.
ResultsForty fenestrated arteries were found in CTA: 18 basilar arteries (45%), 16 anterior cerebral arteries (40%), 4 anterior communicating arteries (10%) and one middle cerebral artery (2.5%). Only one vertebral artery fenestration was found due to the technique of the examination. Six patients (15%) with fenestrated arteries had a total of 8 aneurysms, although only one aneurysm was ipsilateral to the fenestration. In 8 cases of SAH, two were with no evidence of vascular malformation. The coexistence of CAF and aneurysms in CTA amounted to 15% (6/40), but the incidence of ipsilateral aneurysm was only 2.5% (1/40) and it affected the anterior cerebral artery.
ConclusionsBasilar artery fenestration is the most frequent observed fenestration in CTA, followed by anterior cerebral artery and anterior communicating artery fenestrations. Coexistence of fenestration and aneurysm is uncommon in CTA examination.
Keywords
computed tomography angiography, artery fenestration, cerebral aneurysm, vascular malformations
Title
Detection of cerebral artery fenestrations by computed tomography angiography
Journal
Neurologia i Neurochirurgia Polska
Issue
Pages
239-244
Page views
246
Article views/downloads
627
DOI
10.5114/ninp.2012.29132
Bibliographic record
Neurol Neurochir Pol 2012;46(3):239-244.
Keywords
computed tomography angiography
artery fenestration
cerebral aneurysm
vascular malformations
Authors
Paweł Bożek
Joanna Pilch-Kowalczyk
Ewa Kluczewska
Anna Zymon-Zagórska