title: Variations and morphometric analysis of the proximal segment of the superior cerebellar artery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The superior cerebral artery is a clinically significant vessel, but little is known about its radiological anatomy. The aim of this study was to describe the anatomical variations of the proximal segment of the superior cerebellar artery using Computed Tomography Angiography.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study group consisted of 200 subjects (54.5% female, mean age ± SD 56.2 ± 17.2 years) that had undergone head Computed Tomography Angiography. Subjects with any intracranial pathologies were excluded. Images in Maximum Intensity Projections were used to study the anatomical anomalies of the superior cerebellar artery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 200 subject 388 superior cerebellar arteries were found. Twelve (3.09%) SCAs were duplicated in 11 patients and all originated from the basilar artery. In 8 (4.00%) patients the superior cerebellar artery was absent. The origin of the SCA was most often bilateral, mainly from the basilar artery (76.29%). The superior cerebellar artery diameter, measured at the site of the origin, was statistically significantly different depending on the place of the origin: wider when originating from the basilar artery as a single vessel (1.48 ± 0.42 mm vs. 1.34 ± 0.52 mm; p=0.03) and narrower when originating as duplicated one (1.38 ± 0.48 mm vs. 1.46 ± 0.44 mm; p=0.55).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Superior cerebellar artery usually originates bilaterally from the basilar artery as a single trunk. Its diameter is significantly wider in that type in comparison to other anatomical variations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland.
authors.forename: Roger M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Krzyżewski
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland.
authors.forename: Magdalena K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Stachura
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Stachura
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland.
authors.forename: Justyna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rybus
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland. Electronic address: krtomaszewski@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Krzysztof A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Tomaszewski
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland.
authors.forename: Wiesława
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Klimek-Piotrowska
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland; Department of Radiology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland.
authors.forename: Paweł
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brzegowy
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland.
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Urbanik
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland.
authors.forename: Jerzy A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Walocha
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001488:Basilar Artery / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020769:Posterior Cerebral Artery / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
keywords: Anatomical variations; Computed tomography; Neuro-vascular conflict; Posterior cerebral circulation; Superior cerebellar artery