ASSOCIATION BETWEEN CHRONIC PRIMARY HEADACHES AND CIRCLE OF WILLIS ANOMALIES IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE ANGIOGRAPHY

Abstract

Primary chronic headaches affect a substantial portion of the population, being predominant contributors to headache-related disability. Magnetic Resonance Angiography has emerged as a valuable diagnostic tool in examining the visibility of posterior communicating arteries in primary chronic headaches. Study at AKFA Medline University Hospital, involved 53 patients who were subjected to comprehensive neurological evaluations, assessed headache severity and frequency, and advanced imaging procedures. Six participants were excluded due to concomitant illnesses. According to 47 patients (M:F= 20:27) reported chronic headaches: n=41 (87.2%) showed no Posterior Communicating Artery visualization and n=6 (12.8%) showed Posterior Communicating Artery visualization. The mean age of participants was 42.3 ± 13.4. Alterations in the standard structure of the Circle of Willis might influence the frequency and intensity of headache symptoms. There has been a noted correlation between irregularities in the Circle of Willis with patients experiencing headaches, and a possible genetic involvement. More research is needed to understand the mechanisms.