Inverse Association Between Basilar Artery Volume and Neuron Density in the Stellate Ganglion Following Bilateral Common Carotid Artery Ligation: An Experimental Study.

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between neuron density in the stellate ganglion and the severity of basilar artery (BA) enlargement after bilateral common carotid artery ligation. Rabbits (n= 24) were randomly divided into 3 groups: unoperated control group (n= 4), experimental group subjected to bilateral common carotid artery ligation (n= 15), and sham-operated control group (n= 5). Histologic examination of the BAs and stellate ganglia was performed 2 months later. Permanent bilateral common carotid artery ligation was induced by ligation of common carotid arteries at prebifurcation levels as a model for steno-occlusive carotid artery disease. Mean BA volume and neuron density in stellate ganglia for all animals were 4200 μm3 ± 240 and 8325 μm3 ± 210. In sham-operated animals, the mean values were 4360 μm3 ± 340 and 8250 mm3 ± 250. For the experimental group, mean volume and density in animals with slight dilatation of the BA (n= 6) were 4948 μm3 ± 680 and 10,321 mm3 ± 120, whereas in animals with severe dilatation (n= 9), the values were 6728 μm3 ± 440 and 6300 mm3 ± 730. An inverse association was observed between degree of BA enlargement and stellate ganglia neuronal density. High neuron density in stellate ganglia may protect against steno-occlusive carotid artery disease by preventing BA dilatation and aneurysm formation in the posterior circulatory arteries.