Objective characterization of the course of the parasellar internal carotid artery using mathematical tools.
BACKGROUND
Along the internal carotid artery (ICA), atherosclerotic plaques are often located in its cavernous sinus (parasellar) segments (pICA). Studies indicate that the incidence of pre-atherosclerotic lesions is linked with the complexity of the pICA; however, the pICA shape was never objectively characterized. Our study aims at providing objective mathematical characterizations of the pICA shape.


RESULTS
Three-dimensional (3D) computer models, reconstructed from contrast enhanced computed tomography (CT) data of 30 randomly selected patients (60 pICAs) were analyzed with modern visualization software and new mathematical algorithms. As objective measures for the pICA shape complexity, we provide calculations of curvature energy, torsion energy, and total complexity of 3D skeletons of the pICA lumen. We further measured the posterior knee of the so-called "carotid siphon" with a virtual goniometer and performed correlations between the objective mathematical calculations and the subjective angle measurements.


CONCLUSIONS
Firstly, our study provides mathematical characterizations of the pICA shape, which can serve as objective reference data for analyzing connections between pICA shape complexity and vascular diseases. Secondly, we provide an objective method for creating such data. Thirdly, we evaluate the usefulness of subjective goniometric measurements of the angle of the posterior knee of the carotid siphon.
Meng
Stefan
S
IMG, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Str. 13, 1090 Vienna, Austria. stefan.meng@meduniwien.ac.at
Geyer
Stefan H
SH
Costa
Luciano da F
Lda F
Viana
Matheus P
MP
Weninger
Wolfgang J
WJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
D003287:Contrast Media