The demonstration of the number, course, and the location of nutrient artery canals of the femur by multidetector computed tomography

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the number, course, width and location of nutrient artery canals of the femur by using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT).

Methods

Sixty-six adult (35 right and 31 left) dry femurs were included in this study and scanned by MDCT. Nutrient artery canals were evaluated on the multi-planar reformatted and volume rendered images which were reproduced on the basis of axial images.

Results

The median value of nutrient artery canals was two (minimum 1 and maximum 6). We determined that there was a negative correlation between the number of nutrient canals and the canal diameters. The outer ostia of the nutrient artery canals were most frequently located at the middle third segment of femoral diaphysis (65%). While the vast majority of the canals were showing upward courses (95%), only a few canals were having transverse (3%) or downward (2%) courses. Most encountered location of outer ostia of the canals according to linea aspera was the medial lip of the linea aspera (44%). Various variations were demonstrated in the number, course, and location of nutrient artery canals using MDCT.

Conclusions

In conclusion, the knowledge of the topographic features of the nutrient artery canals may be useful in various clinical implications such as bone grafting or radiologic evaluation for the fracture lines.