Objective

2

To explore the deep needling parameters of Ciliao （BL32） and Zhongliao （BL33） in female through computerized tomography-based three-dimensional reconstruction， thereby providing references for further clinical practice.

Methods

2

Twenty female volunteers were given acupuncture at bilateral Ciliao and Zhongliao

，

and pelvic CT scanning was performed to obtain 3D images after the body of needles reached the posterior sacral foramen. The angle between the needle body and the sacrum plane， the needling depth， the distance from the posterior midline， the distance to the infraspecific L5， and the angle to the sagittal plane were measured， and were compared with the corresponding data obtained from the body surface measurement.

Results

2

The CT results showed that the needling angles of left and right Ciliao to the sacrum plane was 71.42°±9.06°， 72.62°±9.26°，and the needling angles of left and right Zhongliao was 71.31°±8.21°， and 71.19°±9.02°， respectively. The corresponding needling depth of the left Ciliao

right Ciliao

left Zhongliao

right Zhongliao was (72.02±8.44) mm， (72.26±7.45) mm， (73.10±6.74) mm， and (74.69±0.43) mm， respectively. The needle tips all point to the posterior midline， and the angle formed with the sagittal plane of the left Ciliao

right Ciliao

left Zhongliao

right Zhongliao was 6.25°±3.02°， 6.51°±3.75°， 4.67°±3.40°， and 5.21°±5.34°， respectively. All CT results mentioned above were not significantly different with body surface measurement data （

P

＞0.05）. The distances from the posterior midline to the needle body of bilateral Ciliao and Zhongliao were (19.89±1.03） mm and (18.30±1.34) mm， respectively， which were significantly shorter than the results of body surface measurement （

P

＜0.05）. The distances from the of the left Ciliao

right Ciliao

left Zhongliao

right Zhongliao to the infraspecific L5 were (56.35±3.34) mm， (56.11±3.23) mm， (75.63±5.45) mm， and (75.13±5.71) mm， respectively， which were significantly longer than the body surface measurement results （

P

＜0.05）. Except for three cases of residual needle sensation after deep needling， there was no other reported discomfort.

Conclusion

2

There are differences in certain needing parameters at Ciliao and Zhongliao in female between CT and body surface measurement. On the basis of touching the posterior sacral foramina， the needles at Ciliao and Zhongliao

should be inserted till the posterior sacral foramen and then slightly upward and outward. The needle tip should be downward with an angle of 70°with the sacrum plane， and points toward the posterior midline with an angle of 5°with sagittal plane. In this method of acupoint selection and needling， it is easier to deeply pierce the posterior sacral foramina， generally with no obvious discomfort.