AI Summary & Key Takeaways
AI InsightAwareness of the anatomical variations of the LICAPs of the PICA will allow surgeons and interventional radiologists to avoid iatrogenic arterial injuries during posterior transthoracic procedures and surgery.
📌 3 Key Takeaways
Abstract
PURPOSE Knowledge of the anatomic variations of the posterior intercostal artery (PICA) and its major branch-es is important during transthoracic procedures and surgery. We aimed to identify the anatomic fea-tures and variations of the lateral intercostal artery perforator (LICAP) of the PICA with selective PICA arteriography.METHODSWe retrospectively evaluated 353 PICAs in 75 patients with selective PICA arteriography for the following characteristics: incidence, length (as number of traversed intercostal spaces), distribution at the hemithorax (medial half vs. lateral half ), and size as compared to the collateral intercostal artery of the PICA. RESULTSThe incidence of LICAPs was 35.9% (127/353). LICAPs were most commonly observed in the right 8th-11th intercostal spaces (33%, 42/127) and in the medial half of the hemithorax (85%, 108/127). Most LICAPs were as long as two (35.4%, 45/127) or three intercostal spaces (60.6%, 77/127). Com-pared to the collateral intercostal artery, 42.5% of LICAPs were larger (54/127), with most of these observed in the right 4th-7th intercostal spaces (48.8%, 22/54).CONCLUSIONWe propose the clinical significance of the LICAP as a potential risk factor for iatrogenic injury during posterior transthoracic intervention and thoracic surgery. For example, skin incisions must be as superficial as possible and directed vertically at the right 4th-7th intercostal spaces and the medial half of the thorax. Awareness of the anatomical variations of the LICAPs of the PICA will allow surgeons and interventional radiologists to avoid iatrogenic arterial injuries during posterior transthoracic procedures and surgery.