3-DIMENSIONAL MODELS OF THE ABDOMINAL VASCULATURE BASED ON HELICAL CT- USEFULNESS IN PATIENTS WITH PANCREATIC NEOPLASMS

Three-dimensional (3D) rendering of helical (spiral) Ci data is used i ncreasingly to show abnormalities of the vascular system [1]. Abdomina l applications have focused mainly on the arterial system, but the por tal venous system also can be depicted effectively with this technique . In patients with pancreaticobiliary neoplasms, axial display of heli cal CT images generally allows accurate staging of the lesion [2, 3]. Many surgeons, however, continue to request arteriography to specifica lly look for evidence of vascular encasement that would preclude surge ry or vascular anomalies that would alter the surgical approach [4, 5] . The purpose of this essay is to illustrate the value of 3D rendering of CT data in providing useful information for surgical planning and showing the extent of vascular involvement by tumor.