Relationship Between Carotid Artery Anatomy and Geometry and White Matter Hyperintensities and Accompanying Comorbid Factors.

BACKGROUND/

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between carotid artery anatomy and geometry and white matter hyperintensities (WMH) and to determine whether it is a risk factor for the disease.

METHODS

The geometry and anatomy of both carotid arteries were evaluated with the three-dimensional vessel model obtained from the computed tomography angiography (CTA) data, and the segmentation software calculated the geometrical features of the arteries. In this model, vascular diameter, vascular cross-sectional area, carotid bifurcation and internal carotid artery (ICA) angles, as well as ICA tortuosity index (TI) measurements of the common carotid artery (CCA) and ICA were determined.

RESULTS

Compared with the non-WMH group, increased carotid bifurcation and ICA angle and higher ICA TI values were found in the WMH group (p < 0.001). In multivariate regression analysis, increased carotid bifurcation angle, higher ICA TI values, age, hypertension, and stroke history were identified as independent risk factors for the development of WMH (p < 0.05). In addition, age, carotid bifurcation angles and ICA angles were found to be associated with the severity of WMH (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Considering the vascular pathologies involved in the pathogenesis of WMH, identifying these risk factors may help determine individuals who are at an increased risk.