Perforating branches of the basilar bifurcation

Abstract

The perforating branches of the upper basilar artery and of the first (P1) segment of the posterior cerebral artery were studied in 50 fixed brains obtained from human cadavers. No vertical branches arose from the basilar bifurcation. The upper basilar artery gave rise to horizontal branches, which were studied with reference to their angle of origin. Perforating arteries arising from P1 segments were found in all specimens. Rare branches were found to come from the inferior and anterior surfaces of P1 segments. The anatomical patterns of these branches are discussed in the light of previous reports. Preoperative knowledge of some anatomical aspects (the position of the basilar apex, the angle between the right P1 and left P1 segments, and relationships to the dorsum sellae and the mammillary bodies) can help in the selection of a neurosurgical approach and may improve the operative results in the surgical treatment of basilar apex aneurysms.

Types and Subtypes of the Posterior Part of the Cerebral arterial Circle in Human Adult Cadavers

“…The average basilar angle in adults was 109 degrees and ranged between 30 and 180 degrees in a study of Caruso et al (1990). The average basilar bifurcation angle of 98 patients aging from 12 to 78 years was determined to be 117.7° (30.93°-172.2°) (Żurada et al, 2008).…”

Widening of the basilar bifurcation angle: association with presence of intracranial aneurysm, age, and female sex

“…10 Basilar artery (BA) aneurysms account for 5%-8% of all IAs. 3,8 The BA usually bifurcates at the level of the interpeduncular fossa, giving rise to the posterior cerebral arteries (PCAs). 26 In healthy individuals, the terminal BA bifurcation angle reportedly varies between 30° and 180° (mean in the range of 109°-117°) 3,26 and has been shown to change with age.…”

“…3,8 The BA usually bifurcates at the level of the interpeduncular fossa, giving rise to the posterior cerebral arteries (PCAs). 26 In healthy individuals, the terminal BA bifurcation angle reportedly varies between 30° and 180° (mean in the range of 109°-117°) 3,26 and has been shown to change with age. 16 In patients with aneurysms, dynamic angular remodeling and hemodynamic alterations of the BA bifurcation have been reported following Y-stent-assisted coiling.…”

Diversity among posterior thalamoperforating branches originated from P1 segment: systematic review

“…He also reported that the mean branch number was bigger in males (1.66 per hemisphere) than females (1.36 per hemisphere). Studies performed by Saeki et al [23] in 1977 and Caruso et al [2] in 1990 included the analysis of 100 hemispheres. The results concerning mean branch number per hemisphere were similar.…”