Characterization of the median sacral artery course at the sacral promontory using contrast-enhanced computed tomography.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Laparoscopic sacral colpopexy (SC) is increasingly utilized in the surgical management of apical prolapse. It involves attachment of a synthetic mesh to the sacral promontory and to the prolapsed vaginal walls. The median sacral artery (MSA) runs close to the site of mesh attachment and is therefore prone to intraoperative injury, which may lead to profound hemorrhaging. The aim of this study was to determine the location of the MSA at the level of the sacral promontory with regard to adjacent visible anatomical landmarks. Surgeons may use this information to reduce the risk for presacral bleeding. METHODS: Sixty consecutive contrast-enhanced pelvic computed tomography scans were revised, and the location of the MSA at the level of the sacral promontory was determined in relation to the ureters, iliac arteries, sacral midline, and aortic bifurcation. RESULTS: The MSA runs 0.2 ± 3.9 mm left to the midline of the sacral promontory and 48.0 ± 15.4 mm caudal to the aortic bifurcation. The ureters, internal and external iliac arteries on the right were significantly closer to the MSA than on the left (30.0 ± 7.1 vs 35.2 ± 8.8 mm, p = 0.001; 21.5 ± 6.8 vs 30.3 ± 8.4 mm, p < 0.0001; 32.8 ± 10.2 vs 41.9 ± 14.5 mm, p = 0.005 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The MSA, which runs left to the midline of the sacral promontory, and its location can be determined intraoperatively in relation to adjacent visible anatomical structures. The iliac vessels and ureter on the right are significantly closer to the MSA than those on the left. This information may help surgeons performing SC to avoid MSA injury, thus reducing operative morbidity.

Diagnostic accuracy of 256-row computed tomographic angiography for detection of obstructive coronary artery disease using invasive quantitative coronary angiography as reference standard.

We assessed the performance of a new-generation, 256-row computed tomography (CT) scanner for detection of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) compared to invasive quantitative coronary angiography. A total 121 consecutive symptomatic patients without known CAD referred for invasive coronary angiography (age 59 ± 12 years, 37% women) underwent clinically driven 256-row coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) before the invasive procedure. Obstructive CAD (>50% diameter stenosis) was assessed visually on CCTA by 2 independent observers using the 18-segment society of cardiovascular CT model and on invasive angiograms using quantitative coronary angiography (the reference standard). Observers were unaware of the findings from the alternate modality. Nonassessable coronary computed tomographic angiographic segments were considered obstructive for the purpose of analysis. Quantitative coronary angiography demonstrated obstructive CAD in 145 segments in 82 of 121 patients (68%). Overall, 1,677 coronary segments were available for comparative analysis, of which 39 (2.3%) were nonassessable by CCTA, mostly because of heavy calcification. Patient-based and segment-based analysis showed a sensitivity of 100% and 97% (95% confidence interval 95% to 100%) and specificity of 69% (95% confidence interval 55% to 84%) and 97% (confidence interval 96% to 98%), respectively. Four segments with obstructive CAD in 4 patients were not detected by CCTA. All 4 patients had additional coronary obstructions identified by CCTA. The predictive accuracy was 90% (range 85% to 95%) for patient based and 97% (96% to 98%) for segment based analysis. In conclusion, 256-row CCTA showed high sensitivity and high predictive accuracy for detection of obstructive CAD in patients without previously known disease. Although coronary calcification might still interfere with analysis, the rate of nonassessable segments was low.