Imaging anatomy and variation of vertebral artery and bone structure at craniocervical junction

The objective of this article is to display the vertebral artery and bone structure at the craniocervical junction (CJVA and C0-1-2) with three-dimensional CT angiography (3DCTA) and identify their anatomic features and variations. Eighty-eight subjects without pathology of vertebral artery (VA) and C0-1-2 were selected from head–neck CTA examination. 3D images were formed with volume rendering (VR) and multiplanar reconstruction (MPR). On the 3D images, CJVA and C0-1-2 were measured, and their variations were observed. CJVA goes along C0-1-2 with five curves, of which three curves are visibly away from C0-1-2, one is 0.0–8.3 mm away at the second curve with 0.0–11.2 mm in width, another is 0.0–9.2 mm away at the fourth with 2.8–14.8 mm and the other is 0.0–6.2 mm away at the fifth. Statistical comparisons show that there is no significant difference in the measurements between left and right, and that the curves become smaller and farther away from C0-1-2 with the increase of age. CJVA is not equal in size, with the biggest in the fourth curve and the smallest in the fifth. Statistical comparison shows the left CJVA is larger than the right in the fifth curve. Variations were found on CJVA in 16 cases and on C1 in 12 cases. The anatomy and variations of CJVA and C0-1-2 are complicated. It is of vital significance to identify their anatomic features in clinical practice

Three-dimensional CT study on the anatomy of vertebral artery at atlantoaxial and intracranial segment

Xiamen City's Scientific & Technical Program [3502Z 20064008]; Xiamen board of health's Medical Research Program, Xiamen, China [WSK 0622]The atlantoaxial and intracranial segments of vertebral artery (V(3-4)) are winding around their peripheral structures. Their panorama is not easy to be observed in surgery. CT angiography (CTA) shows some advantages in this aspect. So, the aim of this study is to reveal the three-dimensional (3D) anatomy related to V(3-4) and prepare ground for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Ninety-eight cases without the pathologies of V(3-4) were selected from the head-neck CTA examination. All the 3D images were formed with multiplanar reconstruction, volume rendering and volume rendering together with separating, fusing, opacifying and false-coloring. On the 3D images, the courses and branch of V(3-4) were observed and measured, as well as their peripheral venous vascular plexus (VVP). V(3-4) with typical five curves was found in 85 cases and with variations in 13. The left V(3-4) is larger than right (P 0.05). The anatomy and variations of V(3-4) can be clearly and directly shown by 3DCTA. The understanding of vertebral artery and bony structures around there can provide anatomic basis for surgery and radiological diagnosis