Anatomical variations of hepatic arterial system, coeliac trunk and renal arteries: an analysis with multidetector CT angiography

• Published in: British journal of radiology Vol. 83; no. 992; pp. 661 - 667
• Main Authors: UGUREL, M. S, BATTAL, B, BOZLAR, U, NURAL, M. S, TASAR, M, ORS, F, SAGLAM, M, KARADEMIR, I
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London British Institute of Radiology 01.08.2010; The British Institute of Radiology
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aorta, Abdominal - anatomy & histology; Aorta, Abdominal - diagnostic imaging; Biological and medical sciences; Blood vessels and receptors; Cardiovascular system; Celiac Artery - anatomy & histology; Celiac Artery - diagnostic imaging; Child; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hepatic Artery - anatomy & histology; Hepatic Artery - diagnostic imaging; Humans; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Radiodiagnosis. Nmr imagery. Nmr spectrometry; Renal Artery - anatomy & histology; Renal Artery - diagnostic imaging; Retrospective Studies; Tomography, X-Ray Computed - methods; Vertebrates: cardiovascular system; Young Adult; Hepatic artery; Human; Multidetector scanner; Angiography; Radiodiagnosis; Renal artery; Anatomical variation; Coeliac artery; Medical imagery; Computerized axial tomography; Anatomy; Angiocomputed tomography
• DOI: 10.1259/bjr/21236482
• ISSN: 0007-1285

The purpose of our investigation was to determine the anatomical variations in the coeliac trunk-hepatic arterial system and the renal arteries in patients who underwent multidetector CT (MDCT) angiography of the abdominal aorta for various reasons. A total of 100 patients were analysed retrospectively. The coeliac trunk, hepatic arterial system and renal arteries were analysed individually and anatomical variations were recorded. Statistical analysis of the relationship between hepatocoeliac variations and renal artery variations was performed using a chi(2) test. There was a coeliac trunk trifurcation in 89% and bifurcation in 8% of the cases. Coeliac trunk was absent in 1%, a hepatosplenomesenteric trunk was seen in 1% and a splenomesenteric trunk was present in 1%. Hepatic artery variation was present in 48% of patients. Coeliac trunk and/or hepatic arterial variation was present in 23 (39.7%) of the 58 patients with normal renal arteries, and in 27 (64.3%) of the 42 patients with accessory renal arteries. There was a statistically significant correlation between renal artery variations and coeliac trunk-hepatic arterial system variations (p = 0.015). MDCT angiography permits a correct and detailed evaluation of hepatic and renal vascular anatomy. The prevalence of variations in the coeliac trunk and/or hepatic arteries is increased in people with accessory renal arteries. For that reason, when undertaking angiographic examinations directed towards any single organ, the possibility of variations in the vascular structure of other organs should be kept in mind.