Half-open mouth position ultrasound for detecting maxillary artery and middle meningeal artery

Abstract

Objective To observe the value of half-open mouth position ultrasound for detecting maxillary artery (MXA) and middle meningeal artery (MMA). Methods Forty healthy volunteers were prospectively recruited. Color Doppler ultrasound through infratemporal fossa, as well as and head and neck CT angiography (CTA) were performed under closed mouth and half-open mouth positions, respectively. Bilateral MXA and MMA were observed, and the internal diameter and hemodynamic parameters of MXA and MMA were measured. Taken CTA findings as references, the value of ultrasound for detecting MXA and MAA was analyzed. Results The display rate of MXA and MMA of half-open mouth position ultrasound was 95. 00% (76/80) and 90. 00% (72/80) , respectively, while of closed mouth position ultrasound was 75. 00% (60/80) and 60.00% (48/80), respectively. There were significant differences of ultrasound display rates of MXA and MMA between closed and half-open mouth positions (both P<0. 05). The inner diameter, peak systolic velocity (PSV) and end diastolic velocity (EDV) of MXA was all significantly higher than those of MMA, while its resistance index (RI) and pulsatile index (PI) was lower than those of MMA (both P<0. 05). The display rates of MXA in CTA under both closed and half-open mouth positions were both 100.00% (80/80), while of MMA were both 95.00% (76/80). Under half-open mouth position, there was no significant difference of display rate of MXA and MMA between ultrasound and CTA (both PZ>0. 05). CTA showed 76 MXA run on the superficial surface of the lower head of lateral pterygoid muscle, while other 4 run on the deep surface of the lower head paralleled to the ipsilateral MMA until MMA entered into foramen spinosum, which were not displayed with half-open mouth position ultrasound. Conclusion Half-open mouth position ultrasound was feasible for detecting MXA and MMA, with display rates similar to CTA.