Multi-detector-row CT angiography in visualization of the artery of Adamkiewicz / 重庆医科大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective:To visualize the artery of Adamkicwicz in patients with thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm using multi-detector row spiral CT angiography (MDCTA).Methods:Thirty-one patients with thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm underwent MDCTA.Various reconstruction techniques including multiplanar reformation (MPR),maximum intensity projection (MIP) and curved planar reformation (CPR) were used to visualize the origin,the branching patterns and the entire course of the artery of Adamkiewicz.Results:The anterior spinal artery was clearly visualized in all patients.The artery of Adamkiewicz was visualized in 28 of 31 aneurysmal patients(90.3%).The anatomic continuity of the entire course of the artery of Adamkiewicz,starting from the aorta to the intercostals artery and entering in the anterior spinal artery,was clearly depicted in 19 of 31 patients(61.3%).Two arteries of Adamkiewicz were identified in 7 of the 28 patients (25%).There were twenty-seven arteries of Adamkiewicz (27/35,77.1%) originated from the left side and thirty-three (33/35,94.3%) originated between the level from T 7 to T 12 .Conclusion:MDCTA can clearly depict the detailed anatomy of the artery of Adamkiewicz in patients with thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm.As a noninvasive imaging technique,optimized MDCTA should therefore be the method of choice for the depiction of the artery of Adamkiewicz.