open access

Vol 46, No 3 (2012)
ARTYKUŁ ORYGINALNY
Submitted: 2011-06-09
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Detection of cerebral artery fenestrations by computed tomography angiography

Paweł Bożek1, Joanna Pilch-Kowalczyk2, Ewa Kluczewska3, Anna Zymon-Zagórska4
DOI: 10.5114/ninp.2012.29132
·
Neurol Neurochir Pol 2012;46(3):239-244.
Affiliations
  1. Katedra i Zakład Radiologii Lekarskiej i Radiodiagnostyki w Zabrzu. Śląski Uniwersytet Medyczny w Katowicach, 3 Maja 13-15, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
  2. Katedra Radiologii i Medycyny Nuklearnej, Centralny Szpital Kliniczny nr 1 w Katowicach, Śląski Uniwersytet Medyczny
  3. Katedra i Zakład Radiologii i Radiodiagnostyki Lekarskiej, Samodzielny Publiczny Szpital Kliniczny nr 1 w Zabrzu, Śląski Uniwersytet Medyczny
  4. Pracownia TK w Katowicach, HELIMED Diagnostic Imaging

open access

Vol 46, No 3 (2012)
ARTYKUŁ ORYGINALNY
Submitted: 2011-06-09

Abstract

Background and purpose

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 methods

All 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.

Results

Forty 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.

Conclusions

Basilar 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

Background and purpose

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 methods

All 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.

Results

Forty 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.

Conclusions

Basilar 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.

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Keywords

computed tomography angiography, artery fenestration, cerebral aneurysm, vascular malformations

About this article
Title

Detection of cerebral artery fenestrations by computed tomography angiography

Journal

Neurologia i Neurochirurgia Polska

Issue

Vol 46, No 3 (2012)

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

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