title: Volume-rendered three-dimensional spiral computed tomographic angiography as a planning tool for microsurgical reconstruction in patients who have had operations or radiotherapy for oropharyngeal cancer.
abstract: Three-dimensional spiral computed tomographic angiography (3D-SCTA) is a minimally invasive method of delineating vessels in three-dimensional detail. Our aim was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of volume-rendered three-dimensional SCTA for planning microsurgical reconstruction. Eighteen patients had a spiral computed tomogram (CT) of the extracranial carotid arteries. The volume rendering technique (VRT) was used to visualise the cervical vessels, and the three-dimensional SCTA images evaluated by a staff radiologist. Radiographic and operative findings were correlated in 13 of 18 patients. The anatomical and pathological alterations of vascular anatomy identified by three-dimensional SCTA correlated exactly with operative findings and led to a successful microsurgical reconstruction. Oropharyngeal reconstruction with microvascular free flaps requires accurate evaluation of the vascular system of the carotid arteries, and improves the accuracy of diagnostic decisions. Three-dimensional SCTA enables the surgeon to establish an appropriate treatment plan.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Plastic Surgery, Ruhr University Bochum, Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum-Langendreer, In der Schornau 23-25, 44892 Bochum, Germany. P.Thurmueller@gmx.de
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Thurmüller
authors.forename: Marco Rainer
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Kesting
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hölzle
authors.forename: Henning
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Retzgen
authors.forename: Klaus-Dietrich
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Wolff
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000792:Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D002342:Carotid Artery, External / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007573:Jaw Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D009333:Neck / Q000098:blood supply*; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed / Q000379:methods*