Radiological findings of segmental dolichoectati c dysplasia of cerebral arteries: A retrospective study

PURPOSE: Segmental dolicoectatic dysplasias of cerebral arteries are rarely seen in neuroimaging. Therefore, we aimed to draw attention to these congenital, developmental anomalies and recognize the different modality radiological findings, additionally determine the possible relationship with clinical symptoms, syndrome, and to evaluate patients' follow-up and treatment options. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospectively, congenital type of intracranial segmental dolichoectasia was identified in 19 patients at our institution between 2007-2018 through a review of cerebral angiographic results. All radiologic images were reviewed to determine the vascular morphologic disposition including dysplasia, mural calcification, lumen narrowing, ectasia, aneurysm formation in a given segment and parenchymal findings. Clinical data were collected from the medical records. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 31.8 ± 5.3 years. In our study, we had female predominance (male / female ratio = 6:13). The common clinical symptom was headache in all cases, while only one case had additional ischemic history of amorosis fugax type. There was no subarachnoid hemorrhage or infarction. Vessel wall calcification was detected in 17, aneurysm in 10, and luminal stenosis in 7 of 19 patients with dolicoectasia. There was no significant progression in long-term follow-up. CONCLUSION: Congenital type intracranial dolichoectasia should be considered in the differential diagnosis of headache. Although, usually benign clinical course, regular radiological follow-up is necessary due to various mural pathologies. KEY WORDS: Intracranial dolichoectasia; segmental vulnerability; angiography