Anatomical characterization of the vertebral artery from a local study population using angiography by computed tomography

Gloria Patricia Baena-Caldas; Juan Felipe Orejuela Zapata; Ana María Granados Sánchez

doi:10.1016/j.artres.2018.07.002

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Volume 23, Issue C, September 2018, Pages 39 - 43

Anatomical characterization of the vertebral artery from a local study population using angiography by computed tomography

Authors

Gloria Patricia Baena-Caldas^a, Juan Felipe Orejuela Zapata^b^{, *}, Ana María Granados Sánchez^c

^aMorphology Department, Universidad del Valle, Colombia

^bBiomedical Engineer, Radiology Department, Fundación Valle del Lili, Colombia

^cRadiologist, Radiology Department, Fundación Valle del Lili, Colombia

^*Corresponding author. Radiology Department, Fundación Valle del Lili, Avenida Simón Bolívar Cra 98 # 18-49, Cali, Colombia. E-mail addresses: gloria.baena@correounivalle.edu.co, gpbaena@hotmail.com (G.P. Baena-Caldas), jorejuela@fcvl.org (J.F. Orejuela Zapata), anamaria.granados@gmail.com (A.M. Granados Sánchez).

Corresponding Author

Juan Felipe Orejuela Zapata

Received 19 May 2017, Accepted 22 July 2018, Available Online 3 August 2018.

DOI: 10.1016/j.artres.2018.07.002 How to use a DOI?
Keywords: Vertebral artery; Anatomic variation; Computed tomography angiography; Vertebral artery dissection
Abstract: Purpose: Despite most anatomical variations of the vertebral artery (VA) related to the origin and intraforaminal entrance remain asymptomatic because of the collateral irrigation system, it is important to know their anatomical presentation in order to prevent complications than could be neurologically devastating for patients. The aim of this study was to characterize the VA anatomy using computed tomography angiography (CTA) in the Colombian population.

Methods: Study was descriptive, observational and cross–sectional. Neck and thorax CTA studies performed between 2010 and 2017 in adult population were reviewed. Studies with low image-quality or artifacts, or patients with vascular malformations or injuries history, as well as non-Colombian patients were excluded. Frequencies and percentages were calculated.

Results: 500 CTA were studied, 362 (72.4%) from male patients, 138 (27.6%) from female patients. In the 18% (n = 90) of the study population, there was at least one VA variation; 73.33% (n = 66) of these cases were male patients and 26.67% (n = 24) were female patients, however, the percentage of VA variations was similar in both genders (18.23% men, 17.39% women).

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the VA anatomy should be assessed prior to any surgical procedure in thoracic or neck region that involves the VA as any complication may be deleterious for the patient. Patients with neurological symptoms and VA variations should be evaluated for arterial dissection. VA variants should be included in the radiology report as they may be useful for clinicians not only for diagnostic but also for preventive purposes.
Open Access: This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC license.

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Journal: Artery Research
Volume-Issue: 23 - C
Pages: 39 - 43
Publication Date: 2018/08/03
ISSN (Online): 1876-4401
ISSN (Print): 1872-9312
DOI: 10.1016/j.artres.2018.07.002 How to use a DOI?
Open Access: This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC license.

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ris enw bib

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Gloria Patricia Baena-Caldas
AU  - Juan Felipe Orejuela Zapata
AU  - Ana María Granados Sánchez
PY  - 2018
DA  - 2018/08/03
TI  - Anatomical characterization of the vertebral artery from a local study population using angiography by computed tomography
JO  - Artery Research
SP  - 39
EP  - 43
VL  - 23
IS  - C
SN  - 1876-4401
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.artres.2018.07.002
DO  - 10.1016/j.artres.2018.07.002
ID  - Baena-Caldas2018
ER  -

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