The volume rendering technique may be used in the threedimensional evaluation of some anatomical structures such as Opha. The volume rendering technique is a group of modalities in the conversion of two-dimensional images to threedimensional images (2, 5, 12). The two-dimensional images acquired by computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging is used to create the volume rendered images (2, 4, 5). Three-dimensional (3D) reconstructed images accurately reflect the real measurement in patients who have undergone multislice helical CT examination (15). In this study, we used the OsiriX software program for volume rendering technique to create three-dimensional ophthalmic artery images. The results of this study and the feasibility of this technique are discussed under the light of published medical literature.
█ InTRODuCTIOnThe ophthalmic artery (OphA) is the first branch of the internal carotid artery distal to the cavernous sinus. The OphA supplies the structures within the orbit as well as some structures in the nose, face and meninges. The Opha arises from the internal carotid along the medial side of the anterior clinoid process and runs anteriorly passing through the optic canal inferolaterally to the optic nerve. The central retinal artery (CRA) is the first, and one of the smaller branches of the OphA. The next branch of the OphA is the lacrimal artery. It is one of the largest branches within the orbital cavity.The supraorbital artery is the second major branch of the OphA. Around the supraorbital notch, the OphA has some critical spontaneous intracranial-extracranial anastomoses with the terminal branches of the facial artery.
AIM:The aim was to evaluate three-dimensional structure of the ophthalmic artery (Opha).
MATERIAl and METhODS:The raw data of the Three-dimensional Computerized Tomography Angiography (3D-CTA) were transferred to computer and recorded in a software program.
RESulTS:The study group consisted of 45 (24 female and 21 male) patients. The mean age of the patients was 56±9.5 years. It was found that the entry point of the OphA to the orbital cavity was inferior to the optic foramen in 29 (64.44%) of the cases. The length of the postcanalicular-prelacrimal was 0.54±0.13 centimeters at the right side and 0.51±0.13 centimeters at the left side. The distance of the postlacrimal-presupraorbital segment was 0.43±0.11 centimeters at the right and left sides. The location of the anastomosing site was 0.97± 0.42 centimeters from the supraorbital notch.
COnCluSIOn:The results of this study showed us that this technique could be used in the evaluation of the three-dimensional microsurgical anatomy of the OphA and its critical extracranial-intracranial anastomosing site.