Preoperative MDCT evaluation of the artery of Adamkiewicz and its origin.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the usefulness of MDCT in the preoperative evaluation of the artery of Adamkiewicz (ARM) and its parent artery.


METHODS
Ten patients with thoracoabdominal vascular diseases underwent MDCT of the entire aorta and iliac arteries. The visualization of the ARM, and its branching level and site of origin, and the continuity of the intercostal/lumbar arteries with the ARM were investigated.


RESULTS
In 9 of the 10 patients, the ARM was clearly visualized. The entire length from the intercostal/lumbar arteries to the ARM could be traced in 8 of the 10 patients. Surgical treatment or stentgraft insertion was based on a consideration of the vascular supply to the ARM. No postoperative ischemic spinal complications occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
MDCT permits the evaluation of the ARM for its entire length and provides information on the intercostal and lumbar arteries and entire aorta.
Takase
Kei
K
Departments of Radiology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Miyagi, Japan.
Akasaka
Junetsu
J
Sawamura
Yoshihiro
Y
Ota
Hideki
H
Sato
Akihiro
A
Yamada
Takayuki
T
Higano
Shuichi
S
Igarashi
Kazumasa
K
Chiba
Yoshihiro
Y
Takahashi
Shoki
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000792:Angiography / Q000379:methods; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D001027:Aortography / Q000379:methods; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007083:Iliac Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D007479:Iopamidol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D015607:Stents; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D014711:Vertebral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
D003287:Contrast Media; D007479:Iopamidol