Abstract OBJECTIVE: Anomalies of vertebrobasilar vessels arise as early embryonal developmental deteriorations. The majority of them concern the position, origin and shape of the basilar artery. Therefore the present study was carried out to find out the variations in position and shape of the basilar artery using Magnetic Resonance Imaging and CT Angiography. MATHERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 130 consecutive patients, adults of both sexes, treated in UKC Tuzla. Patients were divided into two groups. In one group (100) were patients without aneurysm in the vertebrobasilar tree, and in the second group (30) patients with aneurysm. RESULTS: Three types of variations in the shape of basilar artery were recorded: those with arched course, S-shaped course, and the straight course type. All the three types are approximately of the same percentage prevalence in the group of subjects without aneurysm in the vertebral-basilar tree, as well as in the group with aneurysm. Basilar artery at 89.33% of respondents was located in medial or in paramedial position. CONCLUSION: Attention is drawn to the practical importance of such variations as a possible source of diagnostic errors during cerebral arteriography. We highlight the morphological aspects of the basilar artery, the knowledge of which would help neurosurgeons safely diagnose, as well as plan and execute vascular bypass and shunting procedures for the treatment of stenosis, aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations.

ABSTRACT Introduction: The morphological anatomy of the posterior circulation is very complex and variable. Aims of this research were to document the morphological anatomy of the posterior circulation along with variations in the Bosnian population, in patients with or without aneurysm. Measurements of the outer diameters of the vertebral artery, basilar artery and posterior cerebral artery were taken. The second aim was to determine the possible relationship between diameters of the area with subsequent aneurysm formation. Material and Methods: The study involved 60 consecutive patients, adults of both sexes, treated in the UKC Tuzla.The patients were divided into two groups. One group consisted of the patients without aneurysm of basilar artery, and the other group of patients with aneurysm. All the 60 patients were treated by means of MRI angiography. Results: The mean diameter of the vertebral artery was 2,43 mm; 3.61 mm on the right and 2,83 mm; 3,94 mm on the left. The diameter of the basilar artery varied from 3, 8 mm; 3, 43 mm. The diameter of the posterior cerebral arteries 2, 5 mm; 2,52 mm on the right and 2,46 mm; 2,62 mm on the left. Conclusions: We have documented the various morphometry variations as well as the differences of the anatomy in this area in Bosnian population as compared to the medicine literature.