Normal CTA  of the lower limb

Normal CTA of the lower limb

Normal CTA of the lower limb


Introduction

This module of e-Anatomy is dedicated to the vascular anatomy of the arteries of the lower extremities as visualised on a lower limb computed tomography angiography (CTA).

This angiographic atlas of arteries of the lower limb has been designed to help radiologists and vascular surgeons in their daily practice.

Lower limb computed tomography angiography (CTA) is a valuable noninvasive imaging modality used primarily for the diagnosis and management of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and acute limb ischemia (ALI). 
CTA offers high sensitivity and specificity for detecting hemodynamically significant arterial stenosis, with values up to 96% in both cases, when compared to digital subtraction angiography (DSA). This imaging technique provides detailed cross-sectional images that allow for the manipulation of data to create thin axial, multiplanar, and 3D volume renderings.
CTA is also useful in the evaluation of nonischemic etiologies such as vasculitis, aneurysms, and congenital vascular malformations, and it plays a critical role in preoperative planning for surgical or endovascular interventions. The ability to visualize poststenotic or postocclusive vascular anatomy and collateralization further enhances its utility in clinical practice.

 

Material and methods

A lower limb computed tomography angiography (CTA) scan was performed on a healthy 39-year-old male patient, with iodinated contrast agents and using a Siemens CT scanner.

  • Slice thickness: 1 mm
  • Slice spacing: 0.5 mm

Coronal and sagittal multiplanar reconstructions (MPR) and MIP images were generated from the same CT DICOM dataset. Antoine Micheau, MD (Radiologist, Montpellier, France) performed these reconstructions using a Siemens syngo.via workstation.
The anatomical structures were labeled, following the Terminologia Anatomica 2, and grouped by topics:

  • General Anatomy
  • Bones
  • Joints
  • Muscles
  • Fasciae
  • Arteries
  • Branches of artery
  • Veins
     

No content available

  • Terminologia anatomica: international anatomical terminology By the Federative Committee on Anatomical Terminology (FCAT).  Stuttgart:  Georg Thieme Verlag.  ISBN-10: 3-13-114361-4. ISBN-13: 978-3-13-114361-7
  • Pocket Atlas of Human Anatomy: 5th edition - W. Dauber, Founded by Heinz Feneis
  • Anatomie clinique - Tome 2 : Tête · Cou · Dos - 4th edition - Pierre Kamina - Published on: 22/07/2016 - Editor: Maloine - Language: Français - ISBN : 9782224033569 
  • Atlas d'anatomie humaine - 4th edition - Frank-H Netter - Pierre Kamina (Translator) - Published on: 25/07/2007 - Editor: Masson - Language: Français - ISBN : 978-2-294-08042-5
  • Gray's Anatomie pour les étudiants - Richard-L Drake, Wayne Vogl et Adam-W-M Mitchell - Published on: 24/10/2006 - Editor: Elsevier - Language: Français - ISBN-10: 2842997743 - ISBN-13: 978-284299774
  • ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Sudden Onset of Cold, Painful Leg: 2023 Update.Browne WF, Sung J, Majdalany BS, et al.Journal of the American College of Radiology : JACR. 2023;20(11S):S565-S573. doi:10.1016/j.jacr.2023.08.012.
  • Computed Tomography Angiography of the Lower Extremities.Cook TS.Radiologic Clinics of North America. 2016;54(1):115-30. doi:10.1016/j.rcl.2015.08.001.