Relationship of morphological features of vertebrobasilar arteries with brain stem infarction:analysis of 623 cases

Objective To study the relationship of the vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia(VBD) with the difference in two vertebral arteries diameter and their relationship with brain stem infarction incidences.Methods The data of 623 individuals who received both cranial magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance angiography from July 2005 to July 2006 in our hospital were collected sequentially.The incidence of the different diameter of the two vertebral arteries in individuals with different scales of VBD,the agreement rate of the direction of the VBD and site of the thinner side of the vertebral artery,and the brain stem infarction incidences in individuals with different scales of VBD and individuals with different diameter of the two vertebral arteries,were analyzed.Results In samples of VBD with scale 0 to 3,the incidences of different diameter of the two vertebral arteries were 54%,85%,83%and 80%.respectively.There was significant difference between the scale 0 samples and scale 1 and 2 samples.In individuals with scale 1 to 3 VBD and also with different diameter of the two vertebral arteries,the agreement rate of the direction of the VBD and the thinner side of the vertebral artery was 83%.There was no difference in brain stem infarction incidences between scale 0 and scale 1 to 3 VBD individuals,and between individuals with similar and different diameter of the two vertebral arteries.Conclusion The difference of the diameter of the two vertebral arteries may be one of the causes of the VBD.The degree of the VBD and the difference of the diameter of the two vertebral arteries have no effect on the brain stem infarction incidences.