ABSTRACT
Objective Based on CT imaging measurements to investigate the relevant parameters of 3D positioning that are used for the puncturing of trigeminal nerve via foramen rotundum route, and to discuss the influences of gender, age, and BMI on the measurements of these parameters in order to improve the success rate of puncturing. Methods A total of 64 patients with trigeminal neuralgia (second branch), who were successfully treated with CT - guided radiofrequency thermocoagulation of trigeminal nerve via foramen rotundum route during the period from August 2015 to March 2017, were included in this study. Their CT images were retrospectively analyzed. The line from the opening of the external auditory canal to the root of the nose (ear-nose line) was used as the base line on sagittal plane, and the angle between the ear-nose line and the puncture needle (angle α) was measured. On transverse section drawing a line between the midpoint of nose bridge and the midpoint of the posterior edge of the ethmoid sinus (M line), the angle between M line and the puncture needle (angle β) was determined. The vertical distance from the midpoint of the foramen rotundum to M line(D1), the vertical distance from needle puncture point to M line(D2), and the puncture depth (D3) were respectively measured. Results The angle α varied from 44. 10° to 63. 50° with a mean of (55. 05°±5. 48°). The angle β ranged from 26. 42° to 68. 37° with an average of (38. 19°±8. 58°). The distance of D1 was (19. 55±2. 67) mm, the distance of D2 was (58. 50±5. 41) mm, and the depth of D3 was (64. 89+8. 21) mm. The gender, age and BMI value showed a close correlation with the puncture angle and the puncture depth (P＜0. 05), and no statistically significant differences in these indexes existed between the left side and the right side (P＞0. 05). Conclusion The angle a and the other puncture parameters can roughly determine the three dimensional spatial orientation of foramen rotundum, which can be further adjusted according to patient's gender, age and BMI value. (J Intervent Radiol, 2018, 27: 234-237)
ABSTRACT
Objective To study the effects of two different methods of high-pressure injections on imaging quality of synchronous left axillary artery and vein by using volume CT.Methods Forty seven patients who underwent left axillary vein and artery CTA examination study were analyzed retrospectively according to the contrast agent injection scheme and was divided into two groups A and B.Group A of 25 patients used protocol A,adopted clinical routine delay scanning method,via right elbow vein inject contrast medium.Group B of 22 patients used protocol B,adopted artery delayed imaging combined with vein direct imaging method,via right elbow vein,left radial vein inject contrast agent,respectively.Both values of CT and contrast to noise ratio (CNR) of two groups were compared,objective image quality was compared by two blinded readers.Mann Whiteny U test was used.Results The median of CT values for left axillary artery in group A was 151.9 HU.The median of CNR values for left axillary artery in group A was 7.4.The median of CT values for left axillary vein in group A was 116.0 HU.The median of CNR values for left axillary vein in group A was 3.83.The median of CT values for left axillary artery in group B was 348.8 HU.The median of CNR values for left axillary artery in group B was 25.3.The median of CT values for left axillary vein in group B was 497.0 HU.The median of CNR values for left axillary vein in group B was 35.4.Both values of CT and CNR in two groups showed significant difference (Z=-5.735,-5.799,-5.863 and-5.863,P＜0.01).All of the median scores in group B were greater than in group A(P＜0.01).Conclusion The enhancement effect of protocol B in the left axillary arteriovenous synchronous imaging is significantly higher than those of protocol A,and demonstrates clear image quality and clearer anatomic relationship.