The A1-A2 diameter ratio may influence formation and rupture potential of anterior communicating artery aneurysms.
BACKGROUND
Specific morphological factors contribute to the hemodynamics of the anterior communicating artery (AComA). No study has examined the role of the A2 segment on AComA aneurysm presence and rupture.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the possibility that the ratio between A1 and A2 segments (A1-2 ratio) represents an independent risk factor for presence and rupture of AComA aneurysms (AComAAs).


METHODS
A retrospective review of an institutional aneurysm database was performed; patients with ruptured and unruptured AComAAs were identified. Two control groups were selected: group A (posterior circulation aneurysms) and group B (patients without intracranial aneurysms or other vascular malformations). Measurements of A1 and A2 diameters were obtained from digital subtraction angiography (64.1% of 3-D rotational digital subtraction angiography), and the A1-2 ratio calculated.


RESULTS
From January 2009 to April 2011, 156 patients were identified (52 AComAAs, 54 control group A, and 50 control group B). Mean age at the time of presentation was 56.09 years. Compared with both control groups, patients with AComAAs had greater A1 diameter (P < .01) and A1-2 ratio (P < .001) and smaller A2 diameter (P < .01). The A1-2 ratio correlated positively with the presence of AComAAs (P < .001). Ruptured AComAAs were smaller than unruptured ones (5.91 mm vs 9.25 mm, P = .02) and associated with a higher A1-2 Ratio (P = .02). The presence of a dominant A1 did not predict AComAA rupture (P = .15). The A1-2 ratio correlated positively with the presence of ruptured AComAAs (P = .04).


CONCLUSIONS
A1-2 ratio correlates positively with the presence and rupture of AComAAs and may facilitate treatment decision in cases of small, unruptured AComAAs.
*Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas; ‡Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.
Bruno C
BC
Flores
William W
WW
Scott
Christopher S
CS
Eddleman
H Hunt
HH
Batjer
Kim L
KL
Rickert
D000368:Aged; D017542:Aneurysm, Ruptured / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors