Clinical Utility of Three-Dimension Angiography constructed by MDCT for Esophageal Reconstruction using Colon Interposition

Shingo Oya, Kanji Miyata, Norihiro Yuasa, Eiji Takeuchi, Yasutomo Goto, Hideo Miyake, Keiichi Nagasawa, Kenji Omori and Yoichiro Kobayashi

Department of Surgery, Japanese Red Cross Nagoya First Hospital

Many surgeons consider the colon a secondary option for the esophagus following esophagectomy in patients with a history of gastrectomy or gastric cancer. Preoperative angiography is used to evaluate arterial variations or abnormalities potentially influencing the choice of the colon or a vascular pedicle for the graft. So we studied whether three-dimension (3D) angiography based on multidetector-row computed tomography (CT) (3D-CT angiography) enable us to evaluate arterial abnormalities. Subjects were 3 patients -two men and one woman (average age: 61 years)- undergoing elective esophageal reconstruction using the colon. 3D-CT angiography sufficiently evaluated the anatomy of colonic arteries and communication between colonic marginal arteries. This information is useful in preoperative planning for vascular dissection and additional microvascular anastomosis. 3D-CT angiography also satisfactorily evaluated the postoperative vascular patency of colon conduits. So 3D-CT angiography is an easy, less invasive alternative to conventional angiography in determining esophageal reconstruction using the colon.

Key words
3D angiography, MDCT, esophageal reconstruction

Reprint requests
Shingo Oya Department of Surgery, Toyohashi Municipal Hospital
50 Azahakken-nishi, Aotake-cho, Toyohashi, 441-8570 JAPAN

Accepted
December 17, 2008

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