Kaan Esen1,2, Anil Ozgur3, Yuksel Balci3, Sermin Tok3, Engin Kara3. 1. Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey. kaanessen@yahoo.com. 2. Mersin Universitesi Tip Fakultesi Hastanesi, Radyoloji Bolumu, 34. Cadde, Yenisehir, Mersin, Turkey. kaanessen@yahoo.com. 3. Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anatomical variations in the origins of the thyroid arteries on CT angiography images. METHODS: The presence and the origins of the superior thyroid artery, the inferior thyroid artery, and the thyroidea ima artery were retrospectively evaluated based on carotid CT angiography examinations. The bifurcation level of the common carotid artery with respect to the cervical vertebrae and disc spaces was also determined. A total of 640 patients were included in the study. RESULTS: The right and left superior thyroid arteries arose from the external carotid artery in 413 (64.5%) and 254 (39.7%) patients, from the bifurcation of the common carotid artery in 131 (20.5%) and 148 (23.1%) patients, and from the common carotid artery in 90 (14.1%) and 226 (35.3%) patients, respectively. We could not observe the right and the left superior thyroid arteries in 6 (0.9%) and 12 (1.9%) of the patients, respectively. However, the right and left inferior thyroid arteries were not identified in 14 (2.2%) and 45 (7%) of the patients, respectively. The thyroidea ima artery was detected in 2.3% of the patients. CONCLUSION: The visualization of thyroid arteries on CT angiography images enables the anatomy of the arterial supply system of the thyroid gland to be explored in a noninvasive manner prior to surgery.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anatomical variations in the origins of the thyroid arteries on CT angiography images. METHODS: The presence and the origins of the superior thyroid artery, the inferior thyroid artery, and the thyroidea ima artery were retrospectively evaluated based on carotid CT angiography examinations. The bifurcation level of the common carotid artery with respect to the cervical vertebrae and disc spaces was also determined. A total of 640 patients were included in the study. RESULTS: The right and left superior thyroid arteries arose from the external carotid artery in 413 (64.5%) and 254 (39.7%) patients, from the bifurcation of the common carotid artery in 131 (20.5%) and 148 (23.1%) patients, and from the common carotid artery in 90 (14.1%) and 226 (35.3%) patients, respectively. We could not observe the right and the left superior thyroid arteries in 6 (0.9%) and 12 (1.9%) of the patients, respectively. However, the right and left inferior thyroid arteries were not identified in 14 (2.2%) and 45 (7%) of the patients, respectively. The thyroidea ima artery was detected in 2.3% of the patients. CONCLUSION: The visualization of thyroid arteries on CT angiography images enables the anatomy of the arterial supply system of the thyroid gland to be explored in a noninvasive manner prior to surgery.
Authors: Teresa Vázquez; Rosana Cobiella; Eva Maranillo; Francisco Jose Valderrama; Stephen McHanwell; Ian Parkin; Jose Ramon Sañudo Journal: Head Neck Date: 2009-08 Impact factor: 3.147