Atheromatosis of the brain-supplying arteries: Circle of Willis, basilar, vertebral and their branches

Llopis, Guillermo; Quinones, Sara; Konschake, Marko; Simon De Blas, Clara; Hernández, Lorenzo Mauricio; Abramovic, A; Viñuela Prieto, José Manuel; Sañudo Tejero, José Ramón; Tubbs, Richard Shane; Maranillo Alcaide, Eva

Atheromatosis of the brain-supplying arteries: Circle of Willis, basilar, vertebral and their branches

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Official URL

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/09409602

Publication date

2022

Authors

Hernández, Lorenzo Mauricio

Abramovic, A

Viñuela Prieto, José Manuel

Sañudo Tejero, José Ramón

Tubbs, Richard Shane

Maranillo Alcaide, Eva

Publisher

Elsevier

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URI

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/91779

Citation

Llopis G, Quinones S, Konschake M, Simon De Blas C, Hernández LM, Abramovic A, Viñuela-Prieto JM, Sanudo J, Tubbs RS, Maranillo E. Atheromatosis of the brain-supplying arteries: Circle of Willis, basilar, vertebral and their branches. Ann Anat. 2022 Aug;243:151941. doi: 10.1016/j.aanat.2022.151941. Epub 2022 Apr 1. PMID: 35378255.

Abstract

Purpose: Atherosclerotic plaques in the brain-supplying arteries are slowly-developing alterations of vascular structures that can lead to neurological impairment due to stenosis and insufficient oxygenation of eloquent brain areas. The aim of this study is to provide detailed demographic information related to the incidence of atherosclerotic plaques in the cerebral arteries. Material and methods: Forty-eight circles of Willis (21 men, 21 women, mean age: 70.26, six samples unknown) were macroscopically analyzed for length, diameter, and presence of atherosclerotic plaques. Statistical analysis was used to identify potential differences in the locations and frequencies of atherosclerotic plaques in relation to age and sex. Results: The study sample revealed 261 atherosclerotic plaques. The key findings were significant correlations between plaque development and age and between plaque location and age; however, there was no significant sex difference. Conclusion: The upper and lower branches of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) were novel locations predisposing to plaque development. A cut-off value at 60 years revealed a significant difference in plaque development and distribution. There were no significant sex differences in the occurrence of atherosclerotic plaques.