An anatomical study of the medial femoral circumflex artery based on three-dimensional computerized tomographic angiography / 中华创伤骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To characterize the medial femoral circumflex artery based on three-dimensional computed tomographic angiography (3DCTA) so as to provide anatomical aids for diagnosis and treatment of hip injuries.Methods To do this research the 3DCTA data of 103 patients (206 hips) were collected who underwent 3DCTA from March 2012 to June 2014 for examination of the pelvis and lower extremities.They were 55 men (mean age,54.7 ± 15.9 years) and 48 women (50.0 ± 16.1 years).① The origin and course of the medial femoral circumflex artery was observed.② The length of the artery trunk was measured.The distances between the origin(A) of the artery to the main anatomical marks [the peak of greater trochanter (B),the inward peak of lesser trochanter (C),and the crosspoint (D) of the femoral artery and the pubic edge or the acetabulum inlet edge] were measured.Comparisons of the measurements were conducted between genders.③ The distance between point A and point E,the starting point of the femoral profound artery,was measured.Comparisons of the measurements were conducted between genders.Results 2.9％ (3/103) of the subjects had their bilateral medial femoral circumflex arteries originate from the femoral artery,94.2％ (97/103) had their bilateral medial femoral circumflex arteries originate from the femoral profound artery,and 2.9％ (3/103) had one medial femoral circumflex artery originate from the femoral artery and the other from the femoral profound artery.1.9％ (4/206),76.7％ (158/206) and 21.3％ (44/206) of the subjects had the artery of screw type,of circuitous type and of straight type,respectively.The artery trunk goes posteriorly and medially after it is issued,divides into branches along the course,continues to go around the back of the femoral neck,and finally goes to the outward and upper direction.There were no statistical differences between males and females regarding length of the artery trunk,or distances between points AB,AC,AD or AE (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Since 3DCTA can clearly demonstrate the origin,course and anatomical morphology of the medial femoral circumflex artery,it can be used to provide anatomical aids for clinical evaluation and treatment of hip injury.