INJECTION OF PLASTIC MATERIAL INTO THE VESSELS OF WILLIS CIRCLE (BASILAR TRUNK AND CAROTIDE ARTERIES)

Authors: Anton KNIELING, Gina Mădălina TOMA, Tatiana IOV, Diana BULGARU-ILIESCU, Gabriela IORGULESCU

Abstract:

Willis arterial polygon is described as the arterial circle of the base of the skull, functioning as a vascular compensation system in case of occlusion of one of the branches. Nowadays, even if this is the accepted theory, the clinical evolution of some cases invalidates or at least calls into question the contribution of the Willis arterial circle to the filling of cerebral vascularity. The method used for filling was injection of plastic material into the vessels that contribute to the formation of the Willis polygon, namely the basilar trunk and the carotid arteries. Through the technique of postmortem arterial mold, we have highlighted the degree of perfusion and filling of the efferent arteries in the Willis arterial circle. Experimentally, it was found out that, after injection, some branches of the polygon, apparently hypoplastic, with very narrow lumen, allowed the distribution of the plastic material in a smaller amount, distally to these vessels. Also, in some cases, hypoplastic branches were identified, without distal infusion, the plastic material not being evidenced in the efferent vessels.The purpose of this study: plastic injection into the vessels of the arterial polygon, was to investigate the vascular competence of the branches of the Willis arterial circle.

Keywords:
  • injection of plastic material
  • postmortem arterial mold
  • Willis arterial circle