title: Anatomic Study of Posterior Communicating Artery in Computed Tomographic Image.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to provide an anatomic data of posterior communicating artery (PComA) and its anatomic relationship to the adjacent structures, so as to guide surgeons in the surgery of internal carotid artery-posterior communicating artery aneurysm clipping and sellar tumors resection without injuring the PComA.
  
  
  METHODS
  Computer topographic angiography images of 123 individuals were reviewed, and the measurements were done on coronal, sagittal, axial, and other user-defined planes after multiplanar reconstruction. Posterior communicating artery was classified in the reconstructed three-dimensional image, measured in proper planes, and located by the structures such as anterior clinoid process (ACP), posterior clinoid process (PCP), and sagittal midline.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six types of PComA were identified in this study based on its existence and origin. The initial part of PComA can be located by ACP, PCP, and sagittal midline based on some particular angles and distances.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Posterior communicating artery varies in different individuals, and the radiologic study of it is an optimal way to analyze the variances. The anatomic relations between PComA and basic skull structures such as the ACP and PCP are especially important for neurosurgeons.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.
authors.forename: Ye
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Songbai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Haiyang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Hongquan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Cong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hua
authors.forename: Shuanglin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.forename: Zheng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Guangtong
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Zhiyun
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zhao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D002533:Cerebral Angiography / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D012658:Sella Turcica / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed / Q000379:methods*