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To evaluate the distribution and clinical value of accessory hepatic veins (AHVs), we investigated the number and caliber of the AHVs and the angles between the shafts of AHVs and inferior caval vein. We analyzed the anatomical dissections, serial transverse and coronal sections (0.1–0.2 mm) of a frozen liver, and the ultrasonographical and enhanced CT images of healthy patients. We found that: (1) Most of the angles between the AHVs and inferior caval veins on the thin sections (78%) and liver dissections (72%) were acute ( P < 0.01), while the AHVs with right angles had significantly larger average calibers ( P < 0.05). However, on the contrary, most of the angles between the AHVs and inferior caval veins were right angles as observed in ultrasonography (89%) and spiral CT images (83%) ( P < 0.01). The angle parameters appear to be more selective when displaying the AHVs on ultrasonography and spiral CT images. (2) The presentation rates of the AHVs in ultrasonic and spiral CT images were much lower than those of the anatomical dissections ( P < 0.01). (3) There were no apparent differences in displaying right inferior hepatic veins between ultrasonography and spiral CT ( P > 0.05). However, the presentation rate of small AHVs was much lower in spiral CT images ( P < 0.05). (4) The ultrasonographical and spiral CT scans provide effective reference for the diagnosis of Budd-child syndrome, hepatectomy, especially liver hanging maneuver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to explore the method for obtaining the thin sectional anatomy data of the adult temporal bone and study the fine structures using this method. Three fresh adult cadaveric heads were scanned with multi-slice computer tomography (MSCT) centered on petrous bones. The CT images of 0.6 mm were obtained by multi-planar reformation (MPR). The slices of 0.1 mm were shaved off the specimen in the axial direction with the numerical control milling machine after being embedded and frozen, pictures of which were taken by the digital camera and saved in the computer. The thin axial sectional anatomic structures of the intra-temporal were investigated and correlated with MPR images. Via the comparison, fifty micro-anatomic structures of the temporal bone that can’t be delineated clearly or missed in the thick sections were evaluated. The anatomical details of the temporal bone can be clearly delineated in MSCT in sub-millimeter and were identical to those in sectional anatomy images. This method can supply anatomical details that had been missed or overlooked for imaging diagnosis and surgical anatomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To identify and justify the best section to reveal each segment of the abducens nerve according to 3D-SPACE magnetic resonance sequences and correlate with cryosectional specimens. Methods: Thirty-four healthy adults were recruited for MRI using a 3D-SPACE sequence. Eighteen adult head specimens were cut into serial transverse, sagittal and coronal section using an electric band saw after the specimens were frozen. The MRI characteristics and the anatomical features of the abducens nerve were analyzed by correlation with the cryosection. Results: We divided the abducens nerve into five segments, the cisternal segment, Dorello canal (DC) segment, cavernous sinus (CS) segment, superior orbital fissure (SOF) segment and intraorbital segment. In the transverse sections, the detection rates for the cisternal and Dorello canal segments of the abducens nerve were 97.06 and 94.12 %, respectively, on 3D-SPACE MR images. In the sagittal section of the frozen specimens, only the cisternal segment of the abducens nerve could be observed, and its detection rate was 51.50 %. In the coronal section, the CS segment of the abducens nerve was located inferior lateral to the ICA as well as, inferior to the oculomotor and trochlear nerves, and the detection rate of the CS segment was 42.60 % on 3D-SPACE MR images. Conclusion: 3D-SPACE sequence MR scanning was a useful method for observing the cisternal and DC segment of the abducens nerve in a transverse section, observing the cisternal segment in a sagittal section and observing the CS segment in a coronal section. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]