A Study on Branching Pattern of Middle Cerebral Artery and its Variations: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
Debajani Deka, Malamoni Dutta, Rashmi Rekha Bordoloi et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis examined branching patterns and anatomical variations of the middle cerebral artery (MCA), drawing on the studies included in the review. Bifurcation was the most frequently reported termination pattern, occurring in 64.70%; trifurcation was reported in 12.35% and quadrifurcation in 2.35%. The abstract also describes variation in segment dimensions and accessory MCA locations. These anatomical findings are relevant to understanding vascular variation during endovascular and neurosurgical procedures, although the abstract does not provide details of the included studies or pooled estimates beyond the reported percentages.
Key findings
- MCA bifurcated termination was reported in 64.70%, compared with 12.35% for trifurcation and 2.35% for quadrifurcation.
- Bilateral MCA bifurcation was reported in 50%; unilateral bifurcation was reported in 25.45% on the left and 24.54% on the right.
- The average M1 segment length was 17.30 ± 0.07 mm, and its average diameter was 2.37 ± 0.33 mm.
Why it matters
MCA branching and segment anatomy are pertinent to procedures involving cerebral vessels, where unanticipated variation may complicate interpretation or intervention. The review brings together reported patterns of termination and segment measurements, offering anatomical context for procedural planning and for recognising that MCA anatomy is not uniform. The abstract does not establish that using these findings improves clinical outcomes.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not report the number or characteristics of included studies, methods for assessing study quality, or uncertainty around the reported estimates.