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Open Access 01-10-2020 | Intracranial Aneurysm | Vascular-Interventional

Increased tortuosity of basilar artery might be associated with higher risk of aneurysm development

Authors: Kornelia M. Kliś, Roger M. Krzyżewski, Borys M. Kwinta, Bartłomiej Łasocha, Paweł Brzegowy, Krzysztof Stachura, Tadeusz J. Popiela, Radosław Borek, Jerzy Gąsowski

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 10/2020

Abstract

Objectives

We analysed tortuosity of basilar artery (BA) to determine its relationship with the presence of aneurysm.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed 71 patients with BA aneurysms along with 71 age- and risk factors-matched control patients without BA aneurysm. From patients’ medical records, we obtained their history including previous and current diseases and medications. For each patient, we calculated relative length (RL), sum of angle metrics (SOAM), triangular index (TI), product of angle distance (PAD) and inflexion count metrics (ICM). We used t-test and Mann-Whitney U test for continuous variables and χ² test for dichotomised variables. To find independent predictors of BA aneurysm, we employed logistic regression analysis.

Results

We found significant positive correlation between age and SOAM (R = 0.195, p = 0.02) and PAD (R = 0.199, p = 0.018). Our study also showed that patients with BA aneurysm had significantly higher SOAM (0.21 ± 0.16 vs. 0.11 ± 0.08; p < 0.01), PAD (0.30 ± 0.19 vs. 0.18 ± 0.11; p < 0.01), TI (0.23 ± 0.23 vs. 0.10 ± 0.16; p < 0.01) and ICM (0.20 ± 0.16 vs. 0.15 ± 0.11; p = 0.045). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, after adjustment for all possible confounders, SOAM (OR = 1.086; 95% CI 1.046–1.136; p < 0.01) and TI (OR = 1.004; 95%C: 1.002–1.006; p < 0.01) remained independently associated with higher risk of BA aneurysm.

Conclusions

Increased tortuosity of BA is associated with higher risk of its aneurysm development.

Key Points

• Basilar artery sum of angle metrics and product of angle distance are correlated with age.

• Basilar artery tortuosity is independently associated with higher risk of its aneurysm development.

• Basilar artery tortuosity is positively correlated with its diameter and bifurcation angle.

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Title: Increased tortuosity of basilar artery might be associated with higher risk of aneurysm development
Authors: Kornelia M. Kliś
Roger M. Krzyżewski
Borys M. Kwinta
Bartłomiej Łasocha
Paweł Brzegowy
Krzysztof Stachura
Tadeusz J. Popiela
Radosław Borek
Jerzy Gąsowski
Publication date: 01-10-2020
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Intracranial Aneurysm
Angiography
Aneurysm
Aneurysm
Published in: European Radiology / Issue 10/2020
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-020-06917-3

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Increased tortuosity of basilar artery might be associated with higher risk of aneurysm development

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Key Points

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Key Points

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