Role of ovarian artery-to-uterine artery anastomoses in uterine artery embolization: initial anatomic and radiologic studies.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the anatomic features of normal human ovarian artery-to-uterine artery anastomoses and their impact on uterine artery embolization (UAE).


METHODS
Using slice computed tomography (CT) scanning and vascular casting; models of the uterine arterial vascular network were constructed using five sets of uterus, bilateral adnexa and vagina from normal adult females. The anatomy and characteristics of these models were then studied.


RESULTS
Both the casting specimen and the CT-reconstructed model showed the ovarian artery-to-uterine artery anastomoses clearly. Each was composed of the ovarian branch of the uterine artery and the ovarian branch of the ovarian artery. All 10 ovarian artery-to-uterine artery anastomoses were formed by direct connection between the ovarian branch of the uterine artery and the ovarian branch of the ovarian artery.


CONCLUSIONS
Thin slice CT scanning combined with vascular casting is a useful method to study the small arterial network. The anastomoses between the ovarian branch of the uterine artery and the ovarian branch of the ovarian artery were formed mainly by direct connection. The implications of the ovarian artery-to-uterine artery anastomoses on UAE are unclear; further function assessments are needed.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
Zhenbo
Z
Ouyang
Ping
P
Liu
Yanhong
Y
Yu
Chunlin
C
Chen
Xiaolei
X
Song
Bo
B
Liang
Guangming
G
Zhong
Chang
C
Liu
Zeyu
Z
Li
D000328:Adult; D001163:Arteriovenous Anastomosis / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002102:Cadaver; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007047:Hysterosalpingography / Q000379:methods; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008954:Models, Biological; D010053:Ovary / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D055988:Uterine Artery / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D055357:Uterine Artery Embolization / Q000379:methods*; D014599:Uterus / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000098:blood supply