Assessment of morphometric parameters of middle cerebral artery using CT angiography in a tertiary care hospital.

PURPOSE

Middle cerebral artery (MCA) favors secondaries and emboli deposition. Also, with an increase in incidence of MCA aneurysms, majorly at the M1 division point, actual standardized measurement of MCA is necessary. Thus, main aim of the study is assessment of the MCA morphometry using CT Angiography in Indian population.

METHODS

CT cerebral Angiography datasets of 289 patients (180 males and 109 females) were assessed for the MCA morphometry (Average age - 49.29 ± 16.16 years, Range- 11 to 85 years). The cases involving aneurysms and infarcts were excluded. The total length of MCA, length of M1 segment and diameter were measured and the results were statistically analysed.

RESULTS

The mean total length of MCA, length of M1 segment and diameter were 24.02 ± 1.22 mm, 14.32 ± 1.27 mm, 3.33 ± 0.62 mm, respectively. The mean length of M1 segment on the right and left sides was 14.19 ± 1.39 mm and 14.44 ± 1.12 mm, respectively and the difference was statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05). The mean diameter on the right and left sides was 3.32 ± 0.62 mm and 3.33 ± 0.62 mm, respectively and the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.832). The M1 segment length was maximum in patients over 60 years and diameter was maximum in young patients (20-40 years). The mean length of M1 segment in early bifurcation (4.4 ± 0.65 mm), bifurcation (14.32 ± 1.27 mm) and trifurcation (14.15 ± 1.43 mm) was also noted.

CONCLUSION

The MCA measurements will be useful for surgeons to minimize errors in handling cases of intracranial aneurysms or infarcts and provide the best possible outcome to the patients.