Two-detector Computed Tomography Map of the Inferior Epigastric Vessels for Percutaneous Transabdominal Intervention Procedures

Abstract

Background:It is crucial to know anatomic variations andtheexact course of aninferior epigastric artery (IEA) to prevent anycomplica-tions during percutaneous abdominal interventions. Aims:Theaimofthisstudy wasto maptheinferior epigastric ves-selsusing reconstructed two-detector computed tomography images andmeasure thedistance from theinferior epigastric artery (IEA) to themidline to determine a saferoute forpercutaneous abdominal interventions. Study Design: Retrospective comparative study.Methods:Coronal reconstructed two-detector computed tomogra-phyimages of200patients were evaluated to measure thedistances between theIEA and midline at three levels (origin, middle, and dis-tal).Vein and artery arrangements were documented.Results:Themostfrequently encountered arrangement (41.5%) was a single veinandartery onbothsides. Mean distances ontherightand leftsides were4.01and4.47cmat theumbilical level, 3.81and4.26 cmat themidlevel, and5.62and5.51cmat theorigin level. Onboth sides, measurement differences between thethree levels werehighlysignificant (p