Distinct Circle of Willis anatomical configurations in healthy preterm born adults: a 3D time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Preterm birth (< 37 weeks' gestation) alters cerebrovascular development due to the premature transition from a foetal to postnatal circulatory system, with potential implications for future cerebrovascular health. This study aims to explore potential differences in the Circle of Willis (CoW), a key arterial ring that perfuses the brain, of healthy adults born preterm.

Methods

A total of 255 participants (108 preterm, 147 full-term) were included in the analysis. High-resolution three-dimensional Time-of-Flight Magnetic Resonance Angiography (3D TOF MRA) datasets were analysed, measuring vessel diameters and classifying segments into different groups of CoW anatomical variations. Statistical comparisons assessed the prevalence of each variant group between preterm

SUBMITTER: Greggio J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11783829 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature