RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To determine the location of Ciliao (BL 32) by the help of three-dimensional (3-D) surface reconstruction of computed tomography (CT) so as to provide a reference for clinical application. METHODS: A total of 106 female volunteer subjects were enrolled in the present study. A CT scanner was used to scan the subjects' pelvis, and the collected image data was processed by Dextroscope workstation. The distances and angels of Ciliao(BL 32) in the 3-D space were measured. RESULTS: A linear correlation existed between the inter-iliac distance (L 1) and sacro-foremen distance (L 2, with the regression equation being Y = 20.219 + 0.25X), and between the sacro-iliac distance and sacral foremen-iliac distance (with the regression equation being Y = -14.007 + 0.446X), which were used to determine the location of BL 32. A linear correlation also existed between the body weight and the needling depth (with the regression equation being Y = -18.893 + 0.988X). So, the suitably inserted straight depth of acupuncture needle could be determined according to the woman's body weight. The oblique angle of the 2nd sacral foremen was (30.08 +/- 4.26), and the depth of the 2nd sacral foramen was (20.13 +/- 2.11) mm. CONCLUSION: In accordance with the results obtained from CT 3-D reconstruction, oblique needling of an acupuncture needle for Ciliao (BL 32) is highly recommended.