A fetal circle of Willis is associated with a decreased deep white matter lesion load.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between morphologic differences in the circle of Willis and the presence and location of white matter lesions (WMLs).


METHODS
Two hundred forty-three consecutive patients with clinical manifestations of atherosclerotic disease underwent MRI of the brain and MR angiography of the circle of Willis.


RESULTS
Subjects with a fetal configuration of the circle of Willis demonstrated a decreased load of small (p < 0.01) and medium (p < 0.01) deep WMLs compared with subjects with a nonfetal configuration of the posterior part of the circle of Willis.


CONCLUSIONS
A fetal configuration of the posterior part of the circle of Willis may be an important protecting determinant in the etiology of white matter lesions.
van der Grond
J
J
Department of Radiology, E01.132, University Medical Center Utrecht, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands. j.vandergrond@azu.nl
van Raamt
A F
AF
van der Graaf
Y
Y
Mali
W P T M
WP
Bisschops
R H C
RH
D000368:Aged; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002536:Cerebral Arteries / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000254:growth & development / Q000503:physiopathology; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D002941:Circle of Willis / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009413:Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / Q000473:pathology*