DIFFUSE INTRACRANIAL ARTERIAL DOLICHOECTASIA – A RADIOLOGICAL CASE REPORT AND COMPARISON WITH VERTEBRO-BASILAR DOLICHOECTASIA

Dr. Madhu Kumar Singhal, Dr. Shubham Singhal* and Dr. Bijendra Kumar

ABSTRACT

Intracranial arterial Dolichoectasia or vertebra-basilar dolichoectasia is abnormal dilatation of the vertebra-basilar arterial system. It is phenotypically distinct from diffuse intracranial arterial Dolichoectasia which involves at least 2 segments of the cerebral arterial system. We present here a case of 70 year old male patient who underwent MRI of brain and intracranial vessels to highlight the importance of recognizing the lesser known and often missed diffuse intracranial Dolichoectasia and compare its features with vertebra-basilar Dolichoectasia. Diffuse intracranial arterial Dolichoectasia has been found to occur in older patients, with increased rates of aneurysmal growth, increased chances of concomitant aortic and visceral aneurysms with increased chances of complications such as aneurysm rupture, ischemic stroke related deaths and poor neurological recovery. Further research is needed in this direction to characterise diffuse variety of intracranial arterial Dolichoectasia so that it be diagnosed earlier and better treatment can be provided.

Keywords: Diffuse Intracranial arterial Dolichoectasia, Vertebrobasilar Dolichoectasia, Aneurysm, Ischaemia.