Two-detector Computed Tomography Map of the Inferior Epigastric Vessels for Percutaneous Transabdominal Intervention Procedures

Background: It is crucial to know anatomic variations and the exact course of an inferior epigastric artery (IEA) to prevent any complications during percutaneous abdominal interventions. Aims: The aim of this study was to map the inferior epigastric vessels using reconstructed two-detector computed tomography images and measure the distance from the inferior epigastric artery (IEA) to the midline to determine a safe route for percutaneous abdominal interventions. Study Design: Retrospective comparative study. Methods: Coronal reconstructed two-detector computed tomography images of 200 patients were evaluated to measure the distances between the IEA and midline at three levels (origin, middle, and distal). Vein and artery arrangements were documented. Results: The most frequently encountered arrangement (41.5%) was a single vein and artery on both sides. Mean distances on the right and left sides were 4.01 and 4.47 cm at the umbilical level, 3.81 and 4.26 cm at the midlevel, and 5.62 and 5.51 cm at the origin level. On both sides, measurement differences between the three levels were highly significant (p