Abstract:

Objective　To evaluate the feasibility of three-dimensional reconstruction of multi-slice CT in the anatomical relationships between intrarenal arteries and the kidney collecting system in pigs.Methods　Eighty-one pig kidneys were examined with MVCT. Each kidney was evaluated with three-dimensional reconstruction , from which MPR , MIP，VR of the renal artery and collecting system were documented. The anatomical relationships between intrarenal arteries and the kidney collecting system were observed.　Results　Three-dimensional images of all pig kidney could exactly show the anatomical relationships between the kidney arteries and collecting system. It was found that there was only 1 artery per kidney. The primary branch of this artery divided into two branches in 79 cases (97.53%) and three branches in 2 cases (2.47%). The two-branch artery divided into cranial and caudal branches in 72 cases (91.14%). In 7 cases (8.86%) the primary division of the two-branch artery was in a dorsal and ventral branches. In all cases 2 arteries (1 ventral and 1 dorsal) involved the cranial caliceal group. In the dorsal mid zone a dorsal artery originated from the cranial division of the renal artery, which was positioned in 48.15% of cases. The arterial supply related to the ventral mid zone of the kidney consisted of branches that coursed horizontally in the ventral surface of the renal pelvis in 82.72% of cases. The caudal division of the renal artery supplied the ventral and dorsal surfaces of the caudal caliceal group in 85.19% of cases, while in 14.81% a dorsal artery supplied its dorsal surface.　Conclusion　Three-dimensional reconstruction of multi-slice CT was an effective method in studying the anatomical relationships between the intrarenal arteries and kidney collecting system in pigs.

Key words: Pig kidney, Multi-slice spiral CT , Three-dimensional reconstruction