Objective To explore the reliability and effectiveness of prediction of the pedicle length of the proximally-based anterolateral thigh (pALT) flap which was used to repair the defects following the resection of various malignant tumors using computed tomographic angiography (CTA). Methods The clinical data of 12 patients who met the selection criteria by using pALT flap to repair wounds left after malignant tumor resection between June 2015 and December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 5 males and 7 females; the age ranged from 16 to 80 years, with an average age of 54.4 years. After tumor resection, the soft tissue defect ranged from 15 cm×5 cm to 30 cm×12 cm; defect sites included 4 cases of lower abdomen, 3 cases of groin, 2 cases of thigh, and 3 cases of buttocks. Preoperative CTA was used to obtain the location information of the descending branch of the lateral femoral circumflex artery and its perforators by maximum density projection, and the length of the pedicle of pALT flap was estimated. Fasciocutaneous flap (5 cases) or myocutaneous flap (7 cases) were cut during operation to repair the defect, and the size of flap ranged from 20 cm×7 cm to 30 cm×12 cm. The donor site of thigh was directly sutured (11 cases) or repaired with skin graft (1 case). Bland-Altman analysis was used to detect the consistency between the pALT flap vascular pedicle length estimated by CTA and the pALT flap vascular pedicle length actually obtained during operation. ResultsOne case had distal blood supply disturbance of the flap and was repaired with skin graft after debridement; the remaining 11 flaps survived. All donor and recipient incisions healed by first intention. All 12 cases were followed up 1-12 months, with an average of 4.3 months. One patient died of pelvic tumor recurrence at 6 months after operation, and no tumor recurrence was found in the other patients. Preoperative CTA estimated that the length of pALT flap vascular pedicle was 9.3-24.7 cm, with an average of 14.7 cm; the actual length of pALT flap vascular pedicle was 9.5-25.0 cm, with an average of 14.8 cm. Bland-Altman analysis showed that there was no significant difference between the pALT flap vascular pedicle length estimated by CTA before operation and the pALT flap vascular pedicle length actually obtained during operation, and the average difference was 0.1 (95% consistency limit: –0.89, 0.74), indicating that they had good consistency. ConclusionCTA can be accurately used to localize the perforator and predict the possible pedicle length of the pALT flap. When performing a pALT flap surgery, preoperative CTA is helpful for surgeons to make a preliminary assessment of the difficult of the operation. The time for exploration of perforators and dissection of the vascular pedicle, and complications can be reduced, and the safety of the operation can be improved.
ObjectiveTo explore the feasibil ity to repair defect on the neck and chest with the rectus abdominis flap which pedicle is lengthened by measuring the width, thickness, and the intercostal space of the inferior costicartilage using CT angiography (CTA).
MethodsThirty cases receiving CTA and three-dimensional reconstruction between July and December 2013 were included in the study. Of 30 cases, 17 were male and 13 were female, aged 44-70 years (mean, 56 years). The width and thickness of the 3rd to 7th costicartilages and the distance of the 3rd to 6th intercostal spaces were measured, and the lengthened pedicle was calculated after the 4th to 7th costicartilage was cut off. Between July 2012 and November 2013, the lengthened pedicle of the rectus abdominis flap was cl inically used to repair the defect on the neck and chest in 4 cases.
ResultsThe pedicle of the rectus abdominis flap was about 6 cm in length. When the left 7th, 6th, 5th, and 4th costicartilages were cut off, the average pedicle was lengthened by 4.07, 7.99, 12.50, and 17.48 cm respectively; when the right 7th, 6th, 5th, and 4th costicartilages were cut off, the average pedicle was lengthened by 4.63, 10.82, 16.64, and 22.05 cm respectively. In 4 flaps which were cl inically used to repair defects, 3 flap completely survived, 1 flap had partial necrosis. Three patients were followed up 6 months, and the appearance and texture of the flap were satisfactory; 1 patient failed to be followed up.
ConclusionResecting the inferior costicartilage can prolong the pedicle of the rectus abdominis flap, therefore it can be used to repair defect on the upper chest and the neck.
Objective To explore the application value of artificial intelligence (AI) pulmonary artery assisted diagnosis software for suspected pulmonary embolism patients. Methods The data of 199 patients who were clinically suspected of pulmonary embolism and underwent pulmonary artery CT angiography (CTA) from June 2016 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Images of pulmonary artery CTA diagnosed by radiologists with different experiences and judged by senior radiologists were compared with the analysis results of AI assisted diagnostic software for pulmonary artery CTA, to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of this software and low, medium, and senior radiologists for pulmonary embolism. The agreement of pulmonary embolism based on pulmonary artery CTA between the AI software and radiologists with different experiences was evaluated using Kappa test. Results The agreement of the AI software and the evaluation of pulmonary embolism lesions by senior radiologists based on pulmonary artery CTA was high (Kappa=0.913, P<0.001), while the diagnostic results of pulmonary artery CTA AI software was good after judged by senior radiologists based on pulmonary artery CTA (Kappa=0.755, P<0.001). Conclusions The AI software based on pulmonary artery CTA diagnosis of pulmonary embolism has good consistency with diagnostic images of radilogists, and can save a lot of reconstruction and diagnostic time. It has the value of daily diagnosis work and worthy of clinical promotion.
ObjectiveTo explore the evaluation value of preoperative multislice spiral computed tomography angiography (MSCTA) for normative radical gastrectomy. MethodsThe anatomic distributions of celiac trunk and its three branches and their tributaries (common hepatic artery, right hepatic artery, left hepatic artery, splenic artery, and left gastric artery) of 86 patients with gastric cancer were comprehended by preoperative MSCTA, which were verified during the surgery. Simultaneously preoperative TNM staging was evaluated by MSCTA, which compared with postoperative pathological results. ResultsThe accuracy rate of preoperative MSCTA evaluating the distribution of celiac trunk and its three branches and their tributaries was 100%. Abnormal hepatic arteries were found in 22 cases by MSCTA, the mutation rate was 25.58%. Abnormal right hepatic arteries were found in 11 cases (12.79%), abnormal left hepatic arteries in 7 cases (8.14%), both abnormal right and left hepatic arteries in 1 case (1.16%), and abnormal common hepatic arteries in 3 cases (3.49%). Straight splenic arteries were found in 24 cases (27.91%), slightly curved splenic arteries in 44 cases (51.16%), and significantly curved splenic arteries in 18 cases (20.93%). Compared with postoperative pathological results, the accuracy rates of preoperative MSCTA evaluating gastric cancer T, N, and M staging were 75.58%（65/86）, 74.42%(64/86), and 91.86%(79/86), respectively. ConclusionsPreoperative MSCTA is an objective way to assess the distributions of celiac artery trunk and related tributaries of patients with gastric cancer. Also, it is an accurate method to evaluate the preoperative TNM stage of gastric cancer, which can help to make an individual operative plan and avoid the intraoperative injury of the artery.
ObjectiveTo explore the feasibility of three-dimensional (3-D) visualization reconstruction of the medial sural artery perforator flap based on digital technology.
MethodsA series of Dicom images were obtained from three healthy adult volunteers by dual source CT angiography. Then the Mimics software was used to construct the medial sural artery model and measure the indexes, including the starting position of medial sural artery, external diameters of vascular pedicle, the number of perforators, location perforated deep fascia, and the maximum pedicle length of perforators based on medial sural artery perforator flap.
ResultsThe 3-D visualization reconstruction models were successfully finished with Mimics software, which can clearly display the distribution, travel, and perforating point. Thirteen perforators were found in 6 legs, which started at the popliteal artery with a mean external diameter of 2.3 mm (range, 1.9-2.7 mm). Each specimen had 1-3 perforators, which located at the site of 6.2-15.0 cm distal to popliteal crease and 2.5-4.2 cm from posterior midline. The maximum pedicle length of medial sural artery perforator flap was 10.2-13.8 cm (mean, 11.8 cm).
ConclusionThe 3-D visualization reconstruction models based on digital technology can provide dynamic visualization of the anatomy of the medial sural artery for individualized design of the medial sural artery perforator flap.
ObjectiveTo observe the morphological characteristics of internal carotid artery (ICA) siphon and ophthalmic artery (OA) in patients with non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) based on CT angiography (CTA) three-dimensional reconstruction of ICA siphon and OA models. MethodsA retrospective cohort study. From January 2017 to January 2019, 26 patients with 31 eyes (NAION group) who were diagnosed with NAION by ophthalmic examination at Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical Universitywere included in the study. Among them, there were 11 males with 13 eyes, and 15 females with 18 eyes; the age was 67.52±6.30 years old. Nineteen eyes of 19 non-affected contralateral eyes were selected as the contralateral eye group. Among them, there were 9 males with 9 eyes and 10 females with 10 eyes; the age was 65.95±5.66 years old. Twenty-six eyes of 26 age- and sex-matched subjects with normal fundus examination during the same period were selected as the normal control group. All subjects underwent best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure, fundus photography and CTA examination. The data obtained from CT scans were reconstructed by 3D model, and the anatomical morphology of ICA siphon was divided into U-shape, V-shape, C-shape and S-shape; the diameter of ICA siphon portion and the diameter at the beginning of OA were measured. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare the diameter of the OA at the beginning of the OA and the diameter of the ICA siphon between the three groups of eyes. ResultsThe diameters at the beginning of OA in the NAION group, the contralateral eye group, and the normal control group were 1.17±0.20, 1.34±0.17, and 1.39±0.15 mm, respectively, and the differences among the three groups were statistically significant (F=12.325, P<0.05); there was no significant difference between the contralateral eye group and the normal control group (P=0.310). In the NAION group, the anatomical morphology of the ICA siphon was U-shaped and V-shaped in 20 (64.52%) and 8 (25.81%) eyes respectively, and S and C-shaped in 3 eyes (9.67%); in the contralateral eye group, in the control group, the ICA siphon shape of the eyes examined was U-shaped and V-shaped, and S-shaped and C-shaped were rare. The diameters of the ICA siphons in the NAION group, the contralateral eye group, and the normal control group were 3.50±0.69, 3.22±0.59, and 3.55±0.54 mm, respectively. There was no significant difference between the three groups (F=1.860, P=0.163). ConclusionU-shaped and V-shaped ICA siphons are more common in NAION-affected eyes; the diameter of the starting point of OA is significantly reduced.
ObjectiveTo study the value of CT angiography (CTA) in the surgical treatment of bone tumors with the temporary balloon blocking technique.
MethodsA retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 36 bone tumor patients between April 2008 and October 2013. There were 22 males and 14 females, aged from 25 to 83 years (mean, 46 years). The tumor located at the sacrococcygeal region in 17 cases, at the ilium in 12 cases, at the pubis in 5 cases, and at the proximal femur in 2 cases. Before surgery, CTA was performed to measure the external diameter of aortaventralis and arteria iliac communis, and the distance between the low renal artery and the abdominal aortic bifurcation as well as mark the anatomical relationship between the low renal artery, the abdominal aortic bifurcation and bony landmarks of vertebral body. According to these data, suitable balloon was chosen and the balloon positioning was guided in the surgery to completely excise tumor assisted by balloon blocking technique.
ResultsThe CTA results showed that the external diameter of aortaventralis and arteria iliaca communis was (1.545±0.248) cm and (1.060±0.205) cm respectively, and the distance between the low renal artery and the abdominal aortic bifurcation was (10.818±1.165) cm. The three-dimensional reconstruction showed that the opening of the low renal artery was mainly located at L1 (16/36, 44.4%) and the abdominal aortic bifurcation mainly located at L4 (22/36, 61.1%). Effective block of abdomial aorta was performed; the blood pressure obviously increased in 3 cases after balloon inflation, and pulse of the left dorsal artery of the foot decreased in 1 case after removal of balloon, which were relieved after expectant treatment. The operation time was 118-311 minutes; the intraoperative blood loss was 200-1 800 mL, 21 patients were given blood transfusion, and the amount of blood transfusion was 400-1200 mL; and the aortic clamping time was 40-136 minutes. All patients were followed up 5-44 months (mean, 21 months). According to Enneking standard, the results were excellent in 9 cases, good in 20 cases, fair in 5 cases, and poor in 2 cases at 3 months after operation. There were 10 cases of dysfunction of urination and defecation, 2 cases of tumor recurrence, and 3 cases of death after surgery.
ConclusionCTA and three-dimensional reconstructions technique can accurately measure the external diameter of aortaventralis and arteria iliaca communis and the distance between low renal artery and abdominal aortic bifurcation and offer great help to choose appropriate balloon and locate the balloon during surgery. The balloon blocking technique under the assistance of CTA can obviously reduce intraoperative blood loss and tumor recurrence, supply a clear view in surgery and shorten the operation time.
Objective To investigate the influence of axis pedicle and intra-axial vertebral artery (IAVA) alignment on C2 pedicle screw placement by measuring the data of head and neck CT angiography. MethodsThe axis pedicle diameter (D), isthmus height (H), isthmus thickness (T), and IAVA alignment types were measured in 116 patients (232 sides) who underwent head and neck CT angiography examinations between January 2020 and June 2020. Defined the IAVA offset direction by referencing the vertical line through the center of C3 transverse foramen on the coronal scan, it was divided into lateral (L), neutral (N), and medial (M). Defined the IAVA high-riding degree by referencing the horizontal line through the outlet of the C2 transverse foramen, it was divided into below (B), within (W), and above (A). The rate of pedicle stenosis, high-riding vertebral artery, and different IAVA types were calculated, and their relationships were analysed. Simulative C2 pedicle screws were implanted by Mimics 19.0 software, and the interrelation among the rates of pedicle stenosis, high-riding vertebral artery, IAVA types, and vertebral artery injury were analyzed. ResultsThe rate of C2 pedicle stenosis was 33.6% (78/232), and the rate of high-riding vertebral artery was 35.3% (82/232). According to the offset direction and the degree of riding, IAVA was divided into 9 types, among which the N-W type (29.3%) was the most, followed by the L-W type (19.0%) and the L-B type (12.9%), accounting for 60.9%. The vertebral artery injury rate of simulative implanted C2 pedicle screws was 35.3% (82/232). The vertebral artery injury rate in patients with pedicle stenosis and high-riding vertebral artery was significantly higher than that who were not (P<0.001). The rate of pedicle stenosis, high-riding vertebral artery, and vertebral artery injury were significantly different among IAVA types (P<0.001), and M-A type was the most common. ConclusionVertebral artery injury is more common in pedicle stenosis and/or high-riding vertebral artery and/or IAVA M-A type. Preoperative head and neck CT angiography examination has clinical guiding significance.
