Anatomical variations of the cerebral arterial circle in adult cadavers from Western Bahia, Brazil

Resumen

This study aimed to analyze the main anatomical variables of the cerebral arterial circle in adult cadavers from western Bahia, Brazil. The research was conducted at the Forensic Medical Sector of the Technical Police Department, located in the city of Barreiras, Bahia State. The sample consisted of 34 adult cadavers submitted to autopsy, with the inclusion criterion being the absence of damage to the brain. Results showed that only two brains exhibited the classical configuration of the cerebral arterial circle, while the remaining specimens presented at least one anatomical variation: agenesis, duplication, hypoplasia, bifurcation, trifurcation, fenestration, or an unusual course of vessels. The communicating arteries were the most frequently involved in these variations, particularly the posterior communicating arteries, with agenesis being the most prevalent variation, followed by duplication and hypoplasia. The findings of this study are consistent with alterations reported in other populations. However, unique observations such as bifurcation, trifurcation, atypical origins of specific vessels, and the proportions of anatomical variables among different blood vessels suggest that region-specific factors may influence distinctive vascular anatomy. These factors warrant further investigation and should be correlated with the most common pathologies.