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

Thurmüller, Petra; Kesting, Marco Rainer; Hölzle, Frank; Retzgen, Henning; Wolff, Klaus-Dietrich

doi:10.1016/j.bjoms.2007.03.004

« Previous Next »British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Volume 45, Issue 7 , Pages 543-547, October 2007

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

Petra Thurmüller
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Plastic Surgery, Ruhr University Bochum, Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum-Langendreer, In der Schornau 23-25, 44892 Bochum, Germany
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +49 234 299 3501; fax: +49 234 299 3509.
Marco Rainer Kesting
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Plastic Surgery, Ruhr University Bochum, Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum-Langendreer, In der Schornau 23-25, 44892 Bochum, Germany
Frank Hölzle
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Plastic Surgery, Ruhr University Bochum, Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum-Langendreer, In der Schornau 23-25, 44892 Bochum, Germany
Henning Retzgen
- Department of Radiology, Ruhr University Bochum, Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum-Langendreer, In der Schornau 23-25, 44892 Bochum, Germany
Klaus-Dietrich Wolff
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Plastic Surgery, Ruhr University Bochum, Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum-Langendreer, In der Schornau 23-25, 44892 Bochum, Germany

Accepted 4 March 2007. published online 10 May 2007.

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.

Keywords: Oropharyngeal cancer, Three-dimensional SCTA, Planning tool, Microsurgical reconstruction