ObjectiveTo study the value of CT angiography (CTA) in the surgical treatment of bone tumors with the temporary balloon blocking technique. MethodsA retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 36 bone tumor patients between April 2008 and October 2013. There were 22 males and 14 females, aged from 25 to 83 years (mean, 46 years). The tumor located at the sacrococcygeal region in 17 cases, at the ilium in 12 cases, at the pubis in 5 cases, and at the proximal femur in 2 cases. Before surgery, CTA was performed to measure the external diameter of aortaventralis and arteria iliac communis, and the distance between the low renal artery and the abdominal aortic bifurcation as well as mark the anatomical relationship between the low renal artery, the abdominal aortic bifurcation and bony landmarks of vertebral body. According to these data, suitable balloon was chosen and the balloon positioning was guided in the surgery to completely excise tumor assisted by balloon blocking technique. ResultsThe CTA results showed that the external diameter of aortaventralis and arteria iliaca communis was (1.545±0.248) cm and (1.060±0.205) cm respectively, and the distance between the low renal artery and the abdominal aortic bifurcation was (10.818±1.165) cm. The three-dimensional reconstruction showed that the opening of the low renal artery was mainly located at L1 (16/36, 44.4%) and the abdominal aortic bifurcation mainly located at L4 (22/36, 61.1%). Effective block of abdomial aorta was performed; the blood pressure obviously increased in 3 cases after balloon inflation, and pulse of the left dorsal artery of the foot decreased in 1 case after removal of balloon, which were relieved after expectant treatment. The operation time was 118-311 minutes; the intraoperative blood loss was 200-1 800 mL, 21 patients were given blood transfusion, and the amount of blood transfusion was 400-1200 mL; and the aortic clamping time was 40-136 minutes. All patients were followed up 5-44 months (mean, 21 months). According to Enneking standard, the results were excellent in 9 cases, good in 20 cases, fair in 5 cases, and poor in 2 cases at 3 months after operation. There were 10 cases of dysfunction of urination and defecation, 2 cases of tumor recurrence, and 3 cases of death after surgery. ConclusionCTA and three-dimensional reconstructions technique can accurately measure the external diameter of aortaventralis and arteria iliaca communis and the distance between low renal artery and abdominal aortic bifurcation and offer great help to choose appropriate balloon and locate the balloon during surgery. The balloon blocking technique under the assistance of CTA can obviously reduce intraoperative blood loss and tumor recurrence, supply a clear view in surgery and shorten the operation time.