Advanced 3-D analysis, client-server systems, and cloud computing-Integration of cardiovascular imaging data into clinical workflows of transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Matching the perforating branch of the internal thoracic artery and the deep inferior epigastric artery for breast reconstruction using multi-detector row computed tomography

PURPOSE

Matching the diameter of the deep inferior epigastric artery (DIEA) and perforating branch (PB) of the internal thoracic artery (ITA) is important for arterial anastomosis during breast reconstruction using the DIEA flap. An anatomic investigation of these arteries was performed using multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Contrast-enhanced MDCT data of 50 women (aged 18-90 years) covering the neck to the groin were analyzed. The diameter of the PBs of the ITA at their origins from the first to the sixth intercostal space and of the DIEA 20 mm from the bifurcation of the external iliac artery were measured.

RESULTS

The mean diameters of the right and left DIEAs were 1.53 ± 0.263 mm and 1.53 ± 0.306 mm, respectively. The diameter of the PBs in the second and third intercoastal spaces was the same as the diameter of the DIEA, bilaterally.

CONCLUSION

It is suggested that anastomosis of the DIEA with PBs of the ITA in the second and third intercoastal spaces is optimal for DIEA flap grafting. Our results could contribute to making vascular anastomosis easier, thereby reducing the burden on both surgeons and patients.

Recent advances in surgical planning & navigation for tumor biopsy and resection

This paper highlights recent advancements in imaging technologies for surgical planning and navigation in tumor biopsy and resection which need high-precision in detection and characterization of lesion margin in preoperative planning and intraoperative navigation. Multimodality image-guided surgery platforms brought great benefits in surgical planning and operation accuracy via registration of various data sets with information on morphology [X-ray, magnetic resonance (MR), computed tomography (CT)], function connectivity [functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), rest-status fMRI], or molecular activity [positron emission tomography (PET)]. These image-guided platforms provide a correspondence between the pre-operative surgical planning and intra-operative procedure. We envisage that the combination of advanced multimodal imaging, three-dimensional (3D) printing, and cloud computing will play increasingly important roles in planning and navigation of surgery for tumor biopsy and resection in the coming years.