Evaluate measurements of the internal carotid artery using computed tomography

Abstract

Objective: Evaluate morphological features of the internal carotid artery (ICA) using computed tomography (CT). Evaluate the relationship betweenmorphological features of the ICAonCT and anthropometric
indices.
Methods: Patients underwent contrast-enhanced CT angiography of the carotid arteries at the University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City from June 2023 to January 2024. This is a cross-sectional descriptive study.
Result: The mean ICA diameter, as well as the mean length of the extracranial segment, intracranial segment, and total ICA, was lowest in the <30 age group and highest in the ≥70 age group. The mean diameter of ICA segments and the mean length of the extracranial segment, intracranial segment, and total ICA, were lower in females than in males. There was no significant difference in the mean ICA diameter across BMI groups. However, the mean length of the extracranial segment, intracranial segment, and total ICA showed a significant difference among BMI groups. No correlation was found between ICA diameter and height. There was a positive correlation between height and the length of the extracranial ICA segment. No correlation was found between height and the length of the intracranial ICA segment.
Conclusion: The mean diameter of the extracranial ICA segments gradually decreases from 7,07 ± 0,36 mm at C1a to 4,60 ± 0,29 mm at C1d. The mean diameter of the intracranial ICA segments also decreases
from 4,52 ± 0,26 mm at C2 to 2,72 ± 0,11 mm at C7. Age and gender are correlated with the diameter of ICA segments. Age, BMI, and height are correlated with the ICA length.