J Korean Radiol Soc.  1998 Nov;39(5):863-867. 10.3348/jkrs.1998.39.5.863.

Persistent Carotid-Vertebrobasilar Anastomosis: Radiologic Findings

• Park SI
• Kim DI
• Jun P
• Yoon PH
• Hwang GJ
• Cheon YJ
• Lim JS

• KMID: 2201137
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jkrs.1998.39.5.863

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the radiologic findings of carotid-vertebrobasilar anastomosis and associated anomalies.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Thirteen patients with fourteen cases of carotid-vertebrobasilar anastomosis collectedfrom January 1992 to December 1997 were reviewed. Clinical diagnosis refered for cerebral angiography werecerebral infarction(n=3), intracranial hemorrhage(n=2), subarachnoid hemorrhage(n=1), brain tumor(n=3),arteriovenous malformation(n=3) and trigeminal neuralgia(n=1). Cerebral angiograms and clinical symptoms wereretrospectively analyzed.
RESULTS
The fourteen carotid-vertebrobasilar anastomsis consisted of eleven cases ofpersistent trigeminal artery and three cases of type I proatantal intersegmental artery. Persistent trigeminalarteries were associated with anterior communicating artery aneurysm(n=1), posterior fossa arteriovenousmalformation(n=2) and persistent trigeminal artery variant(n=5). Type I proatantal intersegmental arteries wereassociated with hypoplastic vertebral arteries(n=2) : only proximal segment in one, and proximal and distalsegments in one case. Only one patient had clinical symptom related to the carotid-vertebrobasilar anastomosiswhich was trigeminal neuralgia.
CONCLUSION
Knowledge of the anatomical and radiologic findings ofcarotid-vertebrobasilar anastomosis and associated anomalies will aid in the accurate diagnosis of neurovasculardisease and prevent possible complications during surgical and interventional procedures.

Keyword

Brain, anatomy; Brain, angiography; Cerebral blood vessels, abnormalities

MeSH Terms

Arteries
Brain
Cerebral Angiography
Diagnosis
Humans
Trigeminal Neuralgia