Tortuosity of the Cervical Segment of the Internal Carotid Artery in AVM Patients

Abstract

The correlation between the degree of tortuosity of the cervical segment of the internal carotid artery (CICA) and the size of the nidus in AVM patients was investigated on angiograms. Fifteen AVM patients underwent embolization of vessels that were fed primarily by the internal carotid artery.

The patients were divided into two groups according to the size of nidus: in group 1 (n = 5), the size of the nidus was rated as small (less than 6 cm), in group 2 (n = 10) as large (greater than 6 cm). The tortuosity was rated as mild, moderate, or severe. The tortuosity of the ipsilateral CICA in group 1 was severe while in group 2 it was either mild or moderate.

The tortuosity of the CICA seems to be an important factor to be considered when distal embolization is contemplated in AVM patients.

Keywords

arteriovenous malformation cervical segment internal carotid artery tortuosity

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References

Jorge

William

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