Albanese Luca, Germann Christoph, Pauli Chantal, Gascho Dominic, Sutter Reto
Department of Radiology, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Forchstrasse 340, Zurich, Switzerland.
Systems Pathology and Functional Tumor Pathology, Zurich University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Skeletal Radiol. 2025 May 29. doi: 10.1007/s00256-025-04938-x.
Prominent nutrient vessels are commonly seen in the ilium bone, but little is known about their anatomical characteristics. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency and morphology of these vessels and associated bone-marrow changes of the ilium using MRI.
MRI-examinations of the pelvis in 245 patients were analyzed retrospectively. Prominent nutrient vessels of the ilium were recorded, including vessel origin, anatomical characteristics such as branches, bone-marrow changes, and entry points into the bone.
Two hundred forty-five patients (54±16 years, range 18-88, 102 males) were included. Prominent central nutrient vessels were found in virtually all patients on both sides of the ilium. All nutrient vessels arose from the iliolumbar artery, forming a breakthrough-anastomosis to the superior gluteal artery. Two branches were seen in 57.6% on the right and 61.2% on the left side, constituting the most prevalent branching pattern. Three branches were seen in a third for each side. One or four branches were seen in 3-4.5% for both sides. A prominent branching pattern we coined "central-vessel-convolute" (CVC) at the central part of the ilium was seen in 75% on either side. Perivascular fatty areas were found in 25% of cases, and in 3.7-2.4% adjacent bone-marrow edema was observed.
Prominent nutrient vessels in the ilium are seen in almost all individuals, the majority exhibiting a specific CVC-pattern. These vessels may be surrounded by perivascular fatty areas; adjacent bone-marrow edema is rare. Recognizing the CVCs and the associated imaging findings should facilitate distinguishing normal anatomical structures from pathology.
在髂骨中常见显著的营养血管，但其解剖特征鲜为人知。本研究旨在利用磁共振成像（MRI）研究这些血管的出现频率、形态以及髂骨相关的骨髓变化。
回顾性分析245例患者的骨盆MRI检查结果。记录髂骨显著的营养血管，包括血管起源、分支等解剖特征、骨髓变化以及血管进入骨骼的入口点。
纳入245例患者（年龄54±16岁，范围18 - 88岁，男性102例）。几乎在所有患者双侧髂骨中均发现显著的中央营养血管。所有营养血管均起源于髂腰动脉，与臀上动脉形成穿通吻合。右侧57.6%、左侧61.2%可见两支血管，构成最常见的分支模式。每侧三分之一的病例可见三支血管。两侧3 - 4.5%的病例可见一支或四支血管。在髂骨中央部分，我们命名为“中央血管盘绕”（CVC）的显著分支模式在两侧均有75%出现。25%的病例发现血管周围脂肪区，3.7 - 2.4%的病例观察到相邻骨髓水肿。
几乎在所有个体中均可见髂骨显著的营养血管，大多数呈现特定的CVC模式。这些血管可能被血管周围脂肪区包围；相邻骨髓水肿罕见。认识CVC及其相关影像学表现应有助于将正常解剖结构与病变区分开来。
