A three-dimensional anatomical study of the superior mesenteric artery stem and adjacent structures of adults on multi-slice CT

Objective To measure the caliber extent of the superior mesenteric artery(SMA) stem and adjacent structures in different genders and ages.Methods The data from 260 patients(140 females,120 males) were acquired.The caliber of the SMA stem was measured and the adjacent anatomical structures were identified in patients who underwent abdominal contrast-enhanced multi-slice helical CT(MSCT).Sagittal imaging of the SMA was acquired by the thin slab maximum intensity projections(TSMIP) post-processing technique.Results The diameter of the SMA was(0.68±0.10)cm,the distance between the SMA and the celiac artery(CA) was(1.55±0.33)cm,the distance between the SMA and the inferior mesenteric artery(IMA) was(6.69±0.88)cm,and the angle between the SMA and the abdominal aorta(AA) was(59±18)°.The statistical difference between males and females was observed in the diameters of the SMA,CA and AA(P0.05).There was no statistical difference between males and females in the distances of the SMA and CA,the distance of the SMA and IMA,and the angle of the SMA and AA(P0.05).The diameter of the CA had no significant difference(P0.05),but there was statistical difference in the diameter of the AA in different ages(P0.05).Conclusion The SMA stem and adjacent anatomical structures were delineated by MSCT and the extent of diameter could be exactly measured.