The measurement of the inferior celiac artery angle on computed tomography angiography technique

Introduction: The main purpose of this study is to measure the inferior angle between celiac artery and Abdominal Aorta (AA) in the Chinese population which underwent Multi-detector Computer Tomography (MDCT) or Computer Tomography Angiography (CTA) for various reasons. Methods: A total of 520 patients were analyzed under CTA of the AA from January 1st 2015 to July 31st 2015. There were 306 males and 177 females cases, and 37 cases were not included in our study due to restrictions whom we labeled as not evaluate. The inferior celiac angle were measured from a constructed line at the posterior surface of celiac artery and anterior surface of AA. We marked the anterior side of the AA as the baseline, and the cranial and caudal sides of AA were designated as 180o and 0o, respectively. Results: The mean inferior celiac angle was (mean ± SD) 50.5o ± 16.73o and the median angle was 52.44o ±16.73o. There were 306 male patients with a mean celiac angle of 53o ± 17.43o and 177 female patients with a mean celiac angle of 51.5o ± 15.45o. It was found that 90.5% of the population’s celiac artery angle falls in between 0o and 90o angle, and 3.3 % has deep acute celiac angle. Conclusion: In conclusion, the CTA technique permits an accurate detail of the anatomical direction and angles of the celiac artery.