Published May 14, 1988 | Version v1
Journal article

Exploration of Willis'circle by digital angiography. Its value for the detection of high risk carotid clamping

  • 1. Hopital Saint Joseph, 75 - Paris (France)

Description

Radiological studies of Willis' circle morphology are mainly performed in search of intracerebral aneurysms, and for this purpose digital imaging has not superseded conventional radiology. In contrast, conventional imaging does not seem to have given satisfactory results in the functional study of this substitute vascular network, and it is in this field that digital angiography is of particular value. Between January, 1985 and June, 1986, we performed 300 digital angiographies of the supra-aortic vessels in patients with carotid artery stenosis. Each exploration included a stage of investigation for intracranial substitute vessels by compression of the carotid artery on the side of the lesion. Substitute vessels were found to be adequate in 93 p. 100 of the cases. The test showed that there was no alternative blood flow in 3.7 p. 100 of the cases, which made it imperative to use brain protection measures during clamping of the carotid artery. The substitute network was found to be insufficient in 1 p. 100 of the cases, and the method failed in 2.4 p. 100

Abstract (French)

L'etude radiologique morphologique du polygone de Willis trouve sa principale application dans la recherche d'anevrysmes intracerebraux; dans cette application, l'imagerie numerisee n'a pas supplante la radiologie conventionnelle. Par contre, l'imagerie conventionnelle ne semble pas avoir donne satisfaction dans l'etude fonctionnelle de ce reseau de suppleance; c'est dans cette application que l'imagerie numerisee trouve une place essentielle. De janvier 1985 a juin 1986, 300 opacifications numerisees des troncs supra-aortiques ont ete realisees chez des malades ayant une stenose carotidienne. Ces explorations comprenaient toutes un temps d'exploration des suppleances intracraniennes par compression carotidienne du cote lesionnel. Dans 93 p. 100 des cas, les suppleances ont ete jugees bonnes. Dans 3,7 p. 100 des explorations le test n'a montre aucune suppleance, ce qui a impose des mesures de protection encephalique lors du clampage carotidien. Dans 1 p. 100 des cas, les suppleances furent jugees mediocres et, dans 2,4 p. 100, la methode a echoue

Additional details

Additional titles

Original title (French)
Exploration du polygone de Willis par angiographie numerisee. Apport au depistage des clampages carotidiens a risque

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Presse Med.
Journal Volume
17
Journal Issue
18
Series
Presse Med.
Journal Page Range
910-913
ISSN
0032-7867
CODEN
PRMEA

INIS