Assessment of Variations in Branching Pattern of Middle Cerebral Artery

Abstract

Background

In the domain of cerebral vasculature, the middle cerebral artery (MCA) takes center stage as the most expansive and intricate conduit. Regrettably, a comprehensive cataloguing of MCA patterns and anomalies remains elusive. The existing landscape is muddled, shrouded in uncertainty regarding the delineation criteria for distinct subtypes. The significance of unravelling the intricacies of MCA patterns and anomalies lies in the fact that variations, such as accessories or duplications, pose a formidable threat in the context of endovascular embolization or navigation procedures for ischemic stroke treatment. This research embarked on a meticulous examination, delving into the intricacies of neuroangiography patterns and anomalies associated with the middle cerebral artery.

Methods:

We undertook a methodical examination, scrutinizing fifteen articles from online databases, encompassing English contributions from PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Directory of Open Access Journals, and EBSCOhost.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, our study meticulously delineates the proportions of MCA branching patterns and anomalies through a systematic review. Remarkably, this research marks the pioneering effort in systematically reviewing the neuroangiography patterns and neuroangiography variations/anomalies of the middle cerebral artery within the existing literature.