Demonstration of the anatomy of the esophageal artery using multidetector-row helical computed tomography.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the ability of multidetector-row helical computed tomography to depict the esophageal artery.

METHODS

Patients with esophageal cancer (n = 88) underwent multidetector-row helical computed tomography. Degree of visualization, branching level, angle, and length of the esophageal artery were investigated.

RESULTS

In 79 (89.8%) of 88 patients, a total of 146 esophageal arteries were delineated from the origin to the insertion into the esophagus. Of the 146 arteries, 112 (76.7%) originated from the descending aorta and 34 (23.3%) from the right intercostal artery. Of the 112 aorta-originated arteries, 110 (98.2%) originated at a level between T6 and T11 from the left side of the descending aorta to go into the left wall of the esophagus. Of the 34 intercostal-originated arteries, 27 (79.4%) originated from right intercostal arteries between T5 and T7 to go into the esophagus.

CONCLUSIONS

Multi-detector-row helical computed tomography depicted the esophageal artery in a high percentage of the patients.