CT anatomy of the internal mammary vessels: importance in planning percutaneous transthoracic procedures

AJR. American Journal of Roentgenology
R M GlassbergM F Glickstein

Abstract

Knowledge of the anatomy of the internal mammary vessels is important to avoid hemorrhagic complications when an anterior parasternal approach is used for percutaneous transthoracic procedures such as biopsy and empyema drainage. We examined 100 consecutive CT scans of the thorax to assess both the number of internal mammary vessels and their relation to the sternum. The mean distance from the sternum to the most medial vessel, the internal mammary vein, was 1.03 +/- 0.25 cm on the right side and 0.98 +/- 0.23 cm on the left side. The mean distance from the sternum to the most lateral vessel, the internal mammary artery, was 1.57 +/- 0.30 cm on the right and 1.47 +/- 0.30 cm on the left. Three internal mammary vessels were present in 20% of cases on the right side and in 18% on the left side. In nine patients, the internal mammary artery was greater than 2.0 cm from the lateral border of the sternum. We recommend an approach that is greater than 2.5 cm from the sternal border when performing parasternal percutaneous transthoracic procedures in order to avoid hemorrhagic complications from injury to the internal mammary vessels. A "safe" window does exist medially between the sternal border and the internal mammary vein but shou...Continue Reading

Citations

Dec 1, 1995·British Journal of Plastic Surgery·L HefelH Anderl
Nov 30, 1999·Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery·A H SchwabeggerM M Ninković
Oct 31, 2003·Thorax·A ManhireUNKNOWN BTS
May 13, 2005·Radiographics : a Review Publication of the Radiological Society of North America, Inc·Sanjay GuptaMarshall E Hicks
May 1, 1992·Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology : JVIR·R W Günther
Jul 18, 2002·The Annals of Thoracic Surgery·Brian W GoodacreEric vanSonnenberg
Jun 24, 2017·Insights Into Imaging·Michele AnzideiMario Bezzi
Feb 9, 2021·Radiologic Clinics of North America·Soheil Kooraki, Fereidoun Abtin

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.