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Clinical Significance of Structural Variations in Breast Vasculature Evaluated via Three-Dimensional Computed
Ling-Cong Zhou1,2, Mi-Bu Cao2, Miao-Ben Wu2
1Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Yueyang Central Hospital, Yueyang, Hunan, China.
Insights
The direct breast artery, a branch of the axillary artery, was visualized using 3D imaging. This anatomical study provides crucial details for breast surgery planning.
Area of Science:
- Anatomical studies
- Vascular imaging
- Surgical anatomy
Background:
- Limited understanding of the direct breast branches of the axillary artery (AA).
- Potential benefits of elucidating these branches for mammoplasty procedures.
Purpose of the Study:
- Anatomical characterization of breast vasculature using 3D technology.
- Establish an anatomical foundation for breast therapeutic operations.
Main Methods:
- Computed tomography (CT) imaging of 14 unilateral adult female breasts.
- 3D reconstruction using Mimics software.
- Examination of arterial positioning within the breast area.
Main Results:
- Internal thoracic artery perforating branches were the most consistent supply (100%).
- Direct breast branches from the axillary artery (AA) were observed in 71.4% of cases.
- Direct breast arteries (DBA) were classified into two types based on origin angle from the AA (Type I: 40%, Type II: 60%).
Conclusions:
- 3D technology provides high-resolution delineation of breast arterial distribution.
- Findings inform clinical practice for breast surgeries.
- Detailed anatomical data of breast vasculature is established.
Background:
While alterations in the vasculature supplying the breast have been extensively recorded, there is no information on the direct breast branches of the axillary artery (AA). An elucidation of the direct breast branches may prove beneficial during mammoplasty.
Objective:
This study sought to investigate the anatomical characterization of breast vasculature utilizing three-dimensional (3D) technology to establish an anatomical foundation for therapeutic operations.
Methods:
Computed tomography images of 14 unilateral adult female breasts were conducted and rebuilt with Mimics software. The positioning of arteries in the breast area was also examined.
Results:
The most consistently observed arterial supply to the breast was the perforating branch from the internal thoracic artery (100%), followed by the anterior intercostal artery (78.6%), the direct breast branch from the AA (71.4%), and the indirect breast branch from the lateral thoracic artery (28.6%). The direct breast artery (DBA) was classified into two categories based on the angle of origin of the AA: direct branching from AA (type I 40 %) and at an angle (type II 60 %). Furthermore, 80 % of the DBA were noted to be positioned laterally to the thoracic dorsal artery.
Conclusion:
3D technology accurately delineates the arterial distribution in the breast area at high resolution to inform clinical practice.
Level Of Evidence Iv:
This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .
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