Introduction: The superior cerebral artery is a clinically significant vessel, but little is known
about its radiological anatomy. The aim of this study was to describe the anatomical
variations of the proximal segment of the superior cerebellar artery using Computed
Tomography Angiography.
Materials and methods: The study group consisted of 200 subjects (54.5% female, mean age
± SD 56.2 ± 17.2 years) that had undergone head Computed Tomography Angiography.
Subjects with any intracranial pathologies were excluded. Images in Maximum Intensity
Projections were used to study the anatomical anomalies of the superior cerebellar artery.
Results: In 200 subject 388 superior cerebellar arteries were found. Twelve (3.09%) SCAs were
duplicated in 11 patients and all originated from the basilar artery. In 8 (4.00%) patients the
superior cerebellar artery was absent. The origin of the SCA was most often bilateral, mainly
from the basilar artery (76.29%). The superior cerebellar artery diameter, measured atthe site
of the origin, was statistically significantly different depending on the place of the origin:
wider when originating from the basilar artery as a single vessel (1.48 ± 0.42 mm vs. 1.34
± 0.52 mm; p = 0.03) and narrower when originating as duplicated one (1.38 ± 0.48 mm vs.
1.46 ± 0.44 mm; p = 0.55).
Conclusion: Superior cerebellar artery usually originates bilaterally from the basilar artery as
a single trunk. Its diameter is significantly wider in that type in comparison to other
anatomical variations