Correlation between cervical artery kinking and white matter lesions

Abstract

ObjectiveTo explore the correlation between cervical artery (i.e., extracranial carotid artery and vertebral artery) kinking and white matter lesions (WMLs). Patients and methodsIn total, 147 patients who underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head and computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the head and neck were included in this study. The severity score of WMLs in each patient was evaluated using MRI data. The extent and location of cervical artery kinking were determined and recorded using CTA. The correlation between cervical artery kinking and WMLs was analyzed using logistic regression and Dunnett’s method. ResultsThe age at which diabetes and carotid artery (common carotid artery and extracranial internal carotid artery) kinking develop and the rate of incidence were significantly higher in patients with WMLs than in those with non-WMLS (P<0.05, P<0.01), but there was no significant difference in the incidence of vertebral artery kinking. Logistic regression analysis indicated that carotid artery kinking (OR=6.144, 95% CI: 2.702–13.970), age (OR=1.055, 95% CI: 1.007–1.106), and diabetes (OR=4.636, 95% CI: 1.421–15.126) were risk factors for WMLs (P<0.01). The Pearson correlation coefficient was 0.753 (P<0.01), thereby suggesting that there is a positive correlation between the severity of WMLs and the number of carotid artery kinks. ConclusionCarotid artery kinking may be an independent risk factor for WMLs.