Incidental findings of persistent primitive trigeminal artery on 3-dimensional time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography at 3.0 T: an analysis of 25 cases

Abstract

Background and purpose: Currently, the presence of persistent primitive trigeminal artery (PPTA) is detected by digital subtraction angiography (DSA); most publications on this cerebrovascular variation have been individual case reports. This study is to evaluate the efficacy of 3-dimensional time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography (3D-TOF MRA) at 3.0 T for the detection and classification of PPTA based on a large case series.

Materials and methods: Between June 2007 and October 2008, 4,650 patients underwent magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) examination at 3.0 T in our hospital. MRA was performed using 3D-TOF with volume rendering (VR) and maximum intensity projection (MIP) technique. The PPTA was classified according to the Saltzman classification system. The occurrence of cerebral vascular diseases accompanying PPTA was studied.

Results: Among the 4,650 patients with MRA examined, 25 were identified as having PPTA; the prevalence of PPTA was .54%. The Saltzman classification of PPTAs was as follows: type I, 24%; type II, 16%; type III, 60%. Sixteen percent of the cases with PPTA were accompanied with intracranial aneurysm.

Conclusion: A 3D-TOF MRA at 3.0 T can be used for the detection of PPTA and making a classification of PPTA indirectly. The incidence of PPTA with type III was greater than that of other types of PPTA. Intracranial aneurysm appeared to be associated with PPTA.