BackgroundGeometrical factors associated with the surrounding vasculature can affect the risk of aneurysm formation. The aim of this study was to determine the association between carotid siphon curvature and the formation and development of paraclinoid aneurysms of the internal carotid artery.MethodsDigital subtraction angiography (DSA) data from 42 patients with paraclinoid aneurysms (31 with non-aneurysmal contralateral sides) and 42 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were analyzed, retrospectively. Morphological characteristics of the carotid siphon [the posterior angle (α), anterior angle (β), and Clinoid@Ophthalmic angle (γ)] were explored via three-dimensional rotational angiography (3D RA) multiplanar reconstruction. The association between carotid siphon morphology and the formation of paraclinoid aneurysms was assessed through univariate analysis. After this, logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors for aneurysms.ResultsSignificantly smaller α, β, and γ angles were reported in the aneurysmal carotid siphon group when compared with the non-aneurysmal contralateral healthy controls. The β angle was best for discriminating between aneurysmal and non-aneurysmal carotid siphons, with an optimal threshold of 18.25°. By adjusting for hypertension, smoking habit, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes mellitus, logistic regression analysis demonstrated an independent association between the carotid siphons angles α [odds ratio (OR) 0.953; P < 0.05], β (OR 0.690; P < 0.001), and γ (OR 0.958; P < 0.01) with the risk of paraclinoid aneurysms.ConclusionsThe present findings provide evidence for the importance of morphological carotid siphon variations and the likelihood of paraclinoid aneurysms. These practical morphological parameters specific to paraclinoid aneurysms are easy to assess and may aid in risk assessment in these patients.
Introduction
The neural mechanism underlying decision‐making, which is an important component of executive function, is complex and not fully understood. Few studies have directly investigated the two types of decision‐making functions – under ambiguity and under risk – in patients with brain tumors in different brain regions.
Methods
Participants were classified into the ventral prefrontal cortex tumor group (VPFC,
n
= 27), the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex tumor group (DLPFC,
n
= 29), and matched healthy controls (HCs,
n
= 32). All participants were given a battery of neuropsychological tests, and they then performed the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) and the Game of Dice Task (GDT) to assess their decision‐making under ambiguity and under risk, respectively.
Results
The two patient groups performed significantly worse on attention, memory, information processing, and executive function. Additionally, patients in the DLPFC group performed significantly worse on the memory and information processing tests compared with the VPFC and HC groups.
Conclusion
This study found that the decision‐making functions of participants in the VPFC and DLPFC tumor groups were impaired to varying degrees. Among them, there was decision‐making impairment under ambiguity and under risk in the VPFC group, and there was decision‐making impairment under risk in the DLPFC group.
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