Variations in the Position and Shape of the Basilar Artery

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Anomalies of vertebrobasilar vessels arise as early embryonal developmental deteriorations. The majority of them concern the position, origin and shape of the basilar artery. Therefore the present study was carried out to find out the variations in position and shape of the basilar artery using Magnetic Resonance Imaging and CT Angiography.

MATHERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 130 consecutive patients, adults of both sexes, treated in UKC Tuzla. Patients were divided into two groups. In one group (100) were patients without aneurysm in the vertebrobasilar tree, and in the second group (30) patients with aneurysm.

RESULTS: Three types of variations in the shape of basilar artery were recorded: those with arched course, S-shaped course, and the straight course type. All the three types are approximately of the same percentage prevalence in the group of subjects without aneurysm in the vertebral-basilar tree, as well as in the group with aneurysm. Basilar artery at 89.33% of respondents was located in medial or in paramedial position.

CONCLUSION: Attention is drawn to the practical importance of such variations as a possible source of diagnostic errors during cerebral arteriography. We highlight the morphological aspects of the basilar artery, the knowledge of which would help neurosurgeons safely diagnose, as well as plan and execute vascular bypass and shunting procedures for the treatment of stenosis, aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations.