Abstract: Objective To measure and evaluate mesenteric artery by comparing the multi-slice spiral CT mesenteric artery images with autopsy specimens. Methods Totally 230 normal subjects were selected to undergo abdominal multi-slice spiral CT and enhanced CT. We processed the images, reconstructed 3D images, analyzed and compare the mesenteric artery images obtained by multi-slice spiral CT with autopsy specimens. Results 1. Diameters of mesenteric artery obtained by vivo image were significantly larger than that of autopsy specimens (EM>P/EM><0.05); 2. Start locations, branch types and running directions of both superior mesenteric artery and inferior mesenteric artery were much different between traditional autopsy specimens information and our results.3. Different reconstruction methods had different advantages. Especially, STS-MIP method could present the level of mesenteric artery better. Conclusion The method for mesenteric artery study using multi-slice spiral CT can enhance scanning and 3D reconstruction with workstation has been approved to work well, and it is superior to traditional autopsy specimen method. It is also convenient for mesenteric artery scientific evaluation. The result data of this method are reliable. Moreover, this method is available to research with large number of specimen.

Key words: Mesenteric artery, Anatomy, Multi-slice spiral CT, Tomography, Angiography, Human