Clinical Significance of Structural Variations in Breast Vasculature Evaluated via Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography Imaging

Background: While alterations in the vasculature supplying the breast have been extensively recorded, there is no information on the direct breast branches of the axillary artery (AA). An elucidation of the direct breast branches may prove beneficial during mammoplasty.

Objective: This study sought to investigate the anatomical characterization of breast vasculature utilizing three-dimensional (3D) technology to establish an anatomical foundation for therapeutic operations.

Methods: Computed tomography images of 14 unilateral adult female breasts were conducted and rebuilt with Mimics software. The positioning of arteries in the breast area was also examined.

Results: The most consistently observed arterial supply to the breast was the perforating branch from the internal thoracic artery (100%), followed by the anterior intercostal artery (78.6%), the direct breast branch from the AA (71.4%), and the indirect breast branch from the lateral thoracic artery (28.6%). The direct breast artery (DBA) was classified into two categories based on the angle of origin of the AA: direct branching from AA (type I 40 %) and at an angle (type II 60 %). Furthermore, 80 % of the DBA were noted to be positioned laterally to the thoracic dorsal artery.

Conclusion: 3D technology accurately delineates the arterial distribution in the breast area at high resolution to inform clinical practice.

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