Demonstration of the artery of Adamkiewicz at multi- detector row helical CT.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the ability of multi-detector row helical computed tomography (CT) to depict the artery of Adamkiewicz.


METHODS
Seventy patients with vascular diseases underwent multi-detector row helical CT of the entire aorta and iliac arteries. The artery of Adamkiewicz was examined on multiplanar and curved planar reformation images and on cine-mode displays. The visualization of the artery of Adamkiewicz, as well as its branching level and side of origin, was investigated.


RESULTS
In 63 (90%) of the 70 patients, at least a single artery of Adamkiewicz was clearly visualized from the intervertebral foramen to the hairpin-shaped union with the anterior spinal artery. Two arteries of Adamkiewicz were identified in 15 (24%) of 63 patients. Fifty-five arteries of Adamkiewicz (71%) originated from the left side. Seventy-two (92%) originated between T8 and L1. Neither the intercostal vein nor the posterior spinal vein were visualized in 57 of 63 patients. Continuity of the entire length, starting from the stem of the intercostal or lumbar artery and proceeding to the artery of Adamkiewicz and finally to the anterior spinal artery, was traceable on cine-mode displays or on curved planar reformation images in 20 of 63 patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Multi-detector row helical CT depicts the artery of Adamkiewicz in a high percentage of patients.
Takase
Kei
K
Department of Radiology, Ishinomaki Redcross Hospital, 1-7-10 Yoshino, Ishinomaki, Miyagi 986-8522, Japan. kytakase@mb.infoweb.ne.jp
Sawamura
Yoshihiro
Y
Igarashi
Kazumasa
K
Chiba
Yoshihiro
Y
Haga
Kenichi
K
Saito
Haruo
H
Takahashi
Shoki
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000792:Angiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013131:Spine / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods