University proceedings. Volga region. Medical sciences

Abstract

Background. The issues of anatomical variability of the main arteries are important for minimally invasive and intravascular operations. Ultrasound diagnostics are important for understanding the topography and variable anatomy in the neck, and the results are successfully used in the clinic. The purpose is to study the prevalence of significantly pronounced degenerative changes in the vascular wall in various variants of the mutual position of vessels in the area of bifurcation of the common carotid artery (CCA). Materials and methods. Ultrasound examination was performed on an outpatient basis in 978 volunteers. The nature of the mutual relationship of vessels in the area of bifurcation of the CCA and signs of atherosclerotic changes were evaluated. Results. The data of 1956 vascular complexes in the area of CCA bifurcation were evaluated with the allocation of 5 variants of the relative position of the vessels. The percentage of cases of detection of atherosclerotic plaques among the participants in the observation generally varied within 5 %. The thickness of the vascular wall of CCA was noted in type G and D. The lowest average values of the thickness of the external (ECA) and internal carotid arteries (ICA) were recorded in groups B and D. Conclusions. The lowest severity of atherosclerosis was noted in groups G and D, and the highest for ECA, in groups B and D. At the level of CCA and ICA, the greatest changes in the vascular wall were in group B. The minimum thickness of the CIM was noted in groups A, G, and D. The greatest thickness of the vascular wall of the CIA was dedetermined in types B and C of the relative position of vessels in the bifurcation area of CCA.

Keywords

• anatomical variability
• atherosclerosis
• carotid arteries