scholarly journals The Angiographic Anatomy of the Sphenoidal Segment of the Middle Cerebral Artery and Its Relevance in Mechanical Thrombectomy

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2-6) ◽  
pp. 231-241
Author(s):  
Rakesh Khatri ◽  
Mohtashim Arbaab Qureshi ◽  
Mohammad Rauf A. Chaudhry ◽  
Alberto Maud ◽  
Anantha Ramana Vellipuram ◽  
...  

Objective: The middle cerebral artery (MCA) is the most commonly treated artery in mechanical thrombectomy stroke trials; however, there is no pragmatic agreement about the segmental anatomy and nomenclature utilized. It results in significant clinical-radiological dissociation and introduces bias in research trials. The purpose of the study is to review and compare angiographic anatomy with microsurgical anatomy literature of the MCA with emphasis on the discrepancy. Methodology: Consecutive cerebral angiograms between January 2011 and March 2014 were retrospectively reviewed by endovascular surgical neuroradiologists. Information about the anatomy of the sphenoidal segment of the MCA classified as classic and non-classic pattern, the lenticulostriate artery takeoff pattern, and the course angulation of the sphenoidal segment were studied. Results: A total of 500 patients, 886 cerebral angiograms, were reviewed. We found the classic pattern of the main trunk MCA bifurcation and a straight angulation course in less than half of the cases. The lenticulostriate arteries arose not only from the main trunk but also from its divisions in more than half of the cases. Conclusion: It is important to corroborate our findings and to develop a pragmatic classification to accurately assess MCA occlusions from the radiological and clinical perspective.

Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes Kaesmacher ◽  
Mirjam Kaesmacher ◽  
Maria Berndt ◽  
Christian Maegerlein ◽  
Sebastian Mönch ◽  
...  

Background and Purpose: Proximal middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusions impede blood flow to the noncollateralized lenticulostriate artery territory. Previous work has shown that this almost inevitably leads to infarction of the dependent gray matter territories in the striate even if perfusion is restored by mechanical thrombectomy. Purpose of this analysis was to evaluate potential sparing of neighboring fiber tracts, ie, the internal capsule. Methods: An observational single-center study of patients with proximal MCA occlusions treated with mechanical thrombectomy and receiving postinterventional high-resolution diffusion-weighted imaging was conducted. Patients were classified according to internal capsule ischemia (IC+ versus IC−) at the postero-superior level of the MCA lenticulostriate artery territory (corticospinal tract correlate). Associations of IC+ versus IC− with baseline variables as well as its clinical impact were evaluated using multivariable logistic or linear regression analyses adjusting for potential confounders. Results: Of 92 included patients with proximal MCA territory infarctions, 45 (48.9%) had an IC+ pattern. Longer time from symptom-onset to groin-puncture (adjusted odds ratio, 2.12 [95% CI, 1.19–3.76] per hour), female sex and more severe strokes were associated with IC+. Patients with IC+ had lower rates of substantial neurological improvement and functional independence (adjusted odds ratio, 0.26 [95% CI, 0.09–0.81] and adjusted odds ratio, 0.25 [95% CI, 0.07–0.86]) after adjustment for confounders. These associations remained unchanged when confining analyses to patients without ischemia in the corona radiata or the motor cortex and here, IC+ was associated with higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale motor item scores (β, +2.8 [95% CI, 1.5 to 4.1]) without a significant increase in nonmotor items (β, +0.8 [95% CI, −0.2 to 1.9). Conclusions: Rapid mechanical thrombectomy with successful reperfusion of the lenticulostriate arteries often protects the internal capsule from subsequent ischemia despite early basal ganglia damage. Salvage of this eloquent white matter tract within the MCA lenticulostriate artery territory seems strongly time-dependent, which has clinical and pathophysiological implications.


2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 83-89
Author(s):  
Ihtesham A. Qureshi ◽  
Alberto Maud ◽  
Salvador Cruz-Flores ◽  
Gustavo J. Rodriguez

Background and Purpose: In this article, we present our experience with the recanalization of the middle cerebral artery (MCA), we hypothesize that there are higher rates of recanalization with fewer stent retriever passes and better clinical outcomes in patients with division MCA occlusions. A more complex anatomy at the bifurcation may prevent a faster recanalization in main trunk MCA occlusions. Methods: We retrospectively identified consecutive patients admitted with MCA occlusions who underwent mechanical thrombectomy using stent retrievers. We categorized patients into division MCA and main trunk MCA occlusions based on angiography. Variables were compared between the groups. We further analyzed patients with trunk MCA occlusions to identify reasons for delays in recanalization. Results: There were 32 MCA occlusions that underwent mechanical thrombectomy and eligible for the analysis during the study period. Of those, 11 were main trunk MCA occlusions. Univariate analysis disclosed a trend toward a lower GP-to-recanalization time (p = 0.05) and a lower number of passes required for recanalization in division MCA occlusions. However, there was a significantly better outcome in patients with division MCA occlusion after multivariate analysis. Analyzing main trunk MCA occlusion data, we found that the need for more than one pass to achieve recanalization led to a trend toward a longer GP-to-recanalization time and a worse outcome. When the stent was placed in the dominant division, the chances of recanalization were significantly higher. Conclusions: Division MCA occlusions have higher recanalization rates with fewer stent retriever passes and better clinical outcomes than main trunk MCA occlusions, likely due to a more favorable anatomy. Measures like placing the stent retriever in the dominant division may decrease recanalization times and improve clinical outcomes in main trunk MCA occlusions.


1981 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hirohiko Gibo ◽  
Christopher C. Carver ◽  
Albert L. Rhoton ◽  
Carla Lenkey ◽  
Robert J. Mitchell

✓ The microsurgical anatomy of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) was defined in 50 cerebral hemispheres. The MCA was divided into four segments: the M1 (sphenoidal) segment coursed posterior and parallel to the sphenoid ridge; the M2 (insular) segment lay on the insula; the M3 (opercular) segment coursed over the frontoparietal and temporal opercula; and the M4 (cortical) segment spread over the cortical surface. The Sylvian fissure was divided into a sphenoidal and an operculoinsular compartment. The M1 segment coursed in the sphenoidal compartment, and the M2 and M3 segments coursed in the operculoinsular compartment. The main trunk of the MCA divided in one of three ways: bifurcation (78% of hemispheres), trifurcation (12%), or division into multiple trunks (10%). The MCA's that bifurcated were divided into three groups: equal bifurcation (18%), inferior trunk dominant (32%), or superior trunk dominant (28%). The MCA territory was divided into 12 areas: orbitofrontal, prefrontal, precentral, central, anterior parietal, posterior parietal, angular, temporo-occipital, posterior temporal, middle temporal, anterior temporal, and temporopolar. The smallest cortical arteries arose at the anterior end and the largest one at the posterior end of the Sylvian fissure. The largest cortical arteries supplied the temporo-occipital and angular areas. The relationship of each of the cortical arteries to a number of external landmarks was reviewed in detail.


1984 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 458-467 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felix Umansky ◽  
Salvador Montoya Juarez ◽  
Manuel Dujovny ◽  
James I. Ausman ◽  
Fernando G. Diaz ◽  
...  

✓ The microvascular anatomy of the proximal segments (M1 and M2) of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) was studied in 70 unfixed brain hemispheres from 35 cadavers. The arteries were injected with a tinted polyester resin and dissected under magnification by microsurgical techniques. The authors studied the outer diameter (OD), length, site of origin, and pattern of branching of the main trunk, secondary trunks, and the initial insular portion of the cortical branches of the MCA. The degree of mobilization of the arteries lying over the insular cortex was also assessed. The main trunk of the MCA, which had an OD of 3 ± 0.1 mm bilaterally and a length of 15 ± 1.1 mm in the right hemisphere and 15.7 ± 1.3 mm in the left hemisphere, could be divided into four groups: Group I: absence of a main division (that is, a single-trunk type of MCA) (in 6% of cases); Group II: bifurcation (64%); Group III: trifurcation (29%); and Group IV: quadrifurcation (1%). The secondary trunks resulting from the division of the main trunk of the MCA had a mean OD ranging from 1.4 to 2.3 mm and a mean length that varied from 12.1 to 14.9 mm. The mean OD of the cortical branches measured near their origin in the main and secondary trunks indicated that the angular artery was the largest vessel, with a mean OD of 1.5 mm on both sides of the brain. The temporopolar artery was the smallest, with a mean OD of 0.8 mm in the right hemisphere and 0.9 mm in the left hemisphere. The authors also describe the patterns of origin of the cortical vessels from the main trunk (early branches) and from the secondary trunks, as well as their branching pattern at the site of origin (single vessels and common stems). These anatomical data indicate that it is possible to perform microvascular reconstructive procedures, such as anastomosis, grafting, and reimplantation of branches in the insular area. The advantages of using unfixed specimens, intravascular injections, and magnification to reproduce in vivo conditions as closely as possible are also discussed.


2003 ◽  
Vol 98 (6) ◽  
pp. 1277-1290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Necmettin Tanriover ◽  
Masatou Kawashima ◽  
Albert L. Rhoton ◽  
Arthur J. Ulm ◽  
Robert A. Mericle

Object. The cortical arteries arising from the main trunk of the middle cerebral artery, proximal to its bifurcation or trifurcation, are called “early branches.” The purpose of this study was to characterize these early branches. Methods. The early branches were characterized according to their sites and patterns of origin, diameters, and relative proximity to the internal carotid artery bifurcation, as well as the course and area of supply of their cortical branches based on an examination of 50 hemispheres. Special attention was directed to the perforating arteries that arose from the early branches and entered the anterior perforated substance. The anatomical findings were compared with data obtained from 109 angiograms. Conclusions. Early branches directed to the temporal and frontal lobes were found in 90 and 32% of the hemispheres, respectively. The early branches that arose more proximally from the M1 segment were larger than those arising distally. Lenticulostriate arteries arose from 81% of the early frontal branches (EFBs) and from 48% of the early temporal branches (ETBs). An average of two cortical arteries arose from the EFBs and 1.3 from the ETBs, the most common of which supplied the temporopolar and orbitofrontal areas. Although the microsurgical anatomy of the early branches demonstrates abundant diversity, they can be classified into clearly defined patterns based on anatomical features. These patterns can prove helpful in evaluating angiographic data and in planning an operative procedure.


2021 ◽  
pp. 0271678X2199262
Author(s):  
Shuai Jiang ◽  
Tian Cao ◽  
Yuying Yan ◽  
Tang Yang ◽  
Ye Yuan ◽  
...  

Recent subcortical infarction (RSI) in the lenticulostriate artery (LSA) territory with a non-stenotic middle cerebral artery is a heterogeneous entity. We aimed to investigate the role of LSA combined with neuroimaging markers of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) in differentiating the pathogenic subtypes of RSI by whole-brain vessel-wall magnetic resonance imaging (WB-VWI). Fifty-two RSI patients without relevant middle cerebral artery (MCA) stenosis on magnetic resonance angiography were prospectively enrolled. RSI was dichotomized as branch atheromatous disease (BAD; a culprit plaque located adjacent to the LSA origin) (n = 34) and CSVD-related lacunar infarction (CSVD-related LI; without plaque or plaque located distal to the LSA origin) (n = 18). Logistic regression analysis showed lacunes (odds ratio [OR] 9.68, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.71–54.72; P = 0.010) and smaller number of LSA branches (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.36–0.96; P = 0.034) were associated with of BAD, whereas severe deep white matter hyperintensities (DWMH) (OR 0.11, 95% CI 0.02–0.71; P = 0.021) was associated with CSVD-related LI. In conclusion, the LSA branches combined with lacunes and severe DWMH may delineate subtypes of SSI. The WB-VWI technique could be a credible tool for delineating the heterogeneous entity of SSI in the LSA territory.


2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 138-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sangnyon Kim ◽  
Masafumi Ohtaki ◽  
Hiroshige Tsuda ◽  
Yusuke Kimura ◽  
Ayaka Sasagawa ◽  
...  

1985 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 261-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felix Umansky ◽  
Francisco B. Gomes ◽  
Manuel Dujovny ◽  
Fernando G. Diaz ◽  
James I. Ausman ◽  
...  

✓ The perforating branches (PFB's) of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) were studied in 34 unfixed brain hemispheres which were injected with a polyester resin and dissected under the operating microscope. Five hundred and eight vessels were identified and their site of origin, branching pattern, outer diameter (OD), and length recorded. Four hundred and two PFB's (79%) originated from the main trunk of the MCA before its division; the remaining 106 vessels (21%) had their origin from branches of the MCA as follows: superior trunk, 43 vessels (8.5%); inferior trunk, 30 vessels (6%); middle trunk, four vessels (0.8%); early temporal branch, 27 vessels (5.3%); and early frontal branch, two vessels (0.4%). The number of PFB's in each hemisphere varied from five to 29 (mean 14.9 ± 0.7 vessels). The great majority of PFB's (96%) originated along the proximal 17 mm of the MCA. The PFB's arising in the first 10 mm had a mean OD of 0.35 ± 0.01 mm and a mean length of 9.25 ± 0.19 mm, and those arising from the second 10 mm had a mean OD of 0.47 ± 0.02 mm and a mean length of 16.67 ± 1.4 mm. A clear distinction between a medial and lateral group of PFB's was present in only 14 hemispheres (41%). In nine hemispheres (26%), perforating vessels from the anterior cerebral artery (A1 segment) and from the recurrent artery of Heubner replaced the medial group of PFB's of the MCA. In one case this group originated in an accessory MCA. In three hemispheres (9%) a small anastomosis (OD 0.2 mm) was seen between a PFB of the recurrent artery of Heubner and one of the MCA. From a total of 508 PFB's, 255 vessels (50%) originated as single vessels, while 253 vessels (50%) originated as branches of common stems. The OD of the single vessels ranged from 0.1 mm to 1.1 mm (mean 0.39 ± 0.02 mm), and the length from 3 to 20 mm (mean 10.8 ± 0.2 mm). The common stems ranged in OD from 0.6 to 1.8 mm (mean 0.87 ± 0.04 mm), and in length from 1 to 15 mm (mean 4.1 ± 0.4 mm). The clinical application of these anatomical data to the management of aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations of the MCA, and in the field of interventional neuroradiology is described. The most frequent pathological entities involving the perforating vessels are also discussed.


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