Can Development of Diabetic Foot be Predicted Using Aortic, Iliac and Femoral Bifurcation Angles? A Computed Tomography Angiography Study

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether aortic, iliac, and femoral artery bifurcation angles were different in diabetic patients with and without diabetic foot, and whether angle differences assessed based on computed tomography angiography (CTA) imaging could predict the development of diabetic foot. Methods: A total of 111 patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) were included in the study: 61 with diabetic foot and 50 without diabetic foot. The aortic, right and left iliac, and right and left femoral bifurcation angles were measured using CTA images and evaluated retrospectively with the Sectra PACS system (Sectra Medical Systems GmbH, Koln, Germany). Results: When the values of the control and diabetic foot groups were compared, there was no statistically significant difference between the aortic bifurcation angle (p=0.438), right (p=0.223) and left (p=0.459) iliac bifurcation angles, or the right (p=0.080) and left (p=0.064) femur bifurcation angles. Conclusion: The results revealed no significant difference in the bifurcation angles of the aorta and lower extremity arteries in diabetic patients with and without diabetic foot, and suggested that the changes in vascular geometry caused by DM may not be a major factor in the development of diabetic foot.