Radiologia Brasileira - Publicação Científica Oficial do Colégio Brasileiro de Radiologia

INTRODUCTION

Developments in surgical techniques such as upper abdominal videolaparoscopic surgeries, liver transplantation and gastrectomies, besides invasive and noninvasive procedures in the abdomen, require of the health professional a wide knowledge about the anatomy of the celiac arterial trunk (CAT), hepatic arterial system (HAS) and their main variations^(1-4) .

Angiography is the gold standard for CAT, and its branches, visualization⁽¹⁾. However, with the arrival of multidetector computed tomography (CT) angiography and modern image reconstruction programs, this imaging method becomes an additional option for the detailed investigation of arteries with the significant advantage of its noninvasiveness⁽⁵⁾. Multidetector CT angiography allows the visualization of small caliber short arteries by means of maximum intensity projection (MIP) and three-dimensional volume rendering (VR) techniques.

The present essay is aimed at describing the normal anatomy and commonly found CAT and HAS variations.

The images shown in the present essay were collected from the personal files of the authors and acquired in a Brilliance 64-channel multidetector CT apparatus (Philips Medical System; Best, The Netherlands).

The scan protocol, with small sporadic variations, consisted in axial sections, slice thickness of 1 mm, pitch 0.8. The contrast agent Ultravist (Bayer) was utilized, at a concentration of 769 mg/mL, intravenously injected by means of an injection pump at a rate of 5 mL/s, with bolus tracking time delay. A standard field of view (250 mm) was utilized. The images reconstruction thickness was 2 mm. An Extended Brilliance Work Space workstation was utilized with the software Philips Brilliance for computed tomography (Philips Medical Systems; Best, The Netherlands).

In order to define the arterial pattern, analyses were performed in the axial plane with reconstruction techniques in the coronal and sagittal planes in multiplanar reconstructions (MPR), as well as three-dimensional reconstructions with the MIP and VR techniques. The normal patter and the main CAT and HAS variations were demonstrated.


CELIAC ARTERIAL TRUNK AND HEPATIC ARTERIAL SYSTEM: NORMAL ANATOMY AND VARIATIONS

CAT variations are not infrequent⁽¹⁾. Song et al. have studied 5,002 cases of CAT and reported the occurence of variations in 10.9% of cases⁽⁵⁾. However, as concomitant CAT and HAS variations are considered, the rate increases to 55% of patients⁽³⁾.

The normal celiac trunk - 89.1% of cases⁽⁵⁾ - is described as the trifurcation originating the left gastric artery, splenic artery and common hepatic artery^(3,5) (Figure 1). Normally, the left gastric artery is the first branch of the CAT and runs cranially toward the smaller curvature of the stomach were it undergoes anastomosis with the right gastric artery; the splenic artery is the branch of the trunk with largest caliber and runs tortuously toward the spleen; the common hepatic artery runs to the right where it divides into gastroduodenal artery inferiorly, and hepatic artery propria superiorly^(2,4) .




The most common CAT variations are the following: hepatosplenic trunk, representing about 3% of cases, where the common hepatic artery and the splenic artery originate from a single trunk, and the left gastric artery is located above this trunk, either in the aorta or in other artery of the upper abdomen (Figures 2 and 3)⁽⁶⁾; splenogastric trunk (4%), where the left gastric artery originates from the splenic artery, forming a common trunk (Figure 4); hepatogastric trunk (1%), with the left gastric artery and common hepatic artery originating from a single trunk (Figure 5). The absence of the CAT is rarely described in the literature (0.1%)⁽⁵⁾ .




As regards the HAS, it is described as normal in cases where the common hepatic artery originates the hepatic artery propria after the emergence of the gastroduodenal artery; and the hepatic artery propria, on its turn, divides into right and left hepatic arteries within the hepatoduodenal ligament, at few centimeters from the liver surface.

According to Koops et al., the frequencies of the normal HAS pattern as per the Hiatt's classification (Table 1), are contained in the interval 59-79.1% (type I) (Figure 6).




Amongst the most described variations, the following frequencies were found: 3-17% (type II), relocation of the left hepatic artery; 7-18% (type III), relocation of the right hepatic artery (Figure 7); and 1.5-5% (type V), common hepatic artery originating from the superior mesenteric artery. Also, according to Hiatt, it is possible to find non-classified variations with a frequency of 1-4.1%⁽⁷⁾ .




Normally, cases of Hiatt's type III are the most prevalent and play a relevant role in procedures involving the liver, as after originating from the superior mesenteric artery, the right hepatic artery runs posteriorly to the portal vein, which might confuse the surgeon, since in the normal pattern (type I) such artery is located anteriorly to the portal vein, within the hepatoduodenal ligament. Thus, one of the reasons for understanding those variations is avoiding iatrogenic events⁽⁸⁾.

In Hiatt's type II - left hepatic artery relocation -, procedures such as gastrectomy should be cautiously performed, considering that in most of such cases, the left hepatic artery emerges from the left hepatic artery; thus, in case of section of the left gastric artery, a possible ischemia of the whole functional left hepatic lobe might occur.

Understanding the pattern of variation of the hepatic arteries becomes imprescindible for the development of the liver transplant⁽⁹⁾.

With the introduction of laparoscopic surgeries with reduction of the surgical field view, it is necessary to understand the pattern of variations of the upper abdomen⁽¹⁰⁾.

The arterial patterns are relevant in the planning of the whole surgical and radiological procedure involving the upper abdomen⁽⁵⁾.

Considering the relevance of the mentioned variations, the authors suggest that radiologists should investigate the arterial pattern and inform them in reports of surgeries and invasive examinations of the upper abdomen.


CONCLUSION

Considering that the vascularization of a great part of the gastrointestinal system occurs from CAT and HAS branches, the knowledge about anatomical variations and respective frequencies is of paramount relevance in the planning of upper abdomen surgeries to avoid procedural errors and medical iatrogenic events.


REFERENCES

1. Iezzi R, Cotroneo AR, Giancristofaro D, et al. Multidetector-row CT angiographic imaging of the celiac trunk: anatomy and normal variants. Surg Radiol Anat. 2008;30:303-10.

2. Özbülbül NI. CT angiography of the celiac trunk: anatomy, variants and pathologic findings. Diagn Interv Radiol. 2011;17:150-7.

3. Ugurel MS, Battal B, Bozlar U, et al. Anatomical variations of hepatic arterial system, coeliac trunk and renal arteries: an analysis with multidetector CT angiography. Br J Radiol. 2010;83:661-7.

4. Wang MJ, Cheng Z, Wang R, et al. Unusual course of the common hepatic artery originating from the celiac trunk. Surg Radiol Anat. 2010;32:883-5.

5. Song SY, Chung JW, Yin YH, et al. Celiac axis and common hepatic artery variations in 5002 patients: systematic analysis with spiral CT and DSA. Radiology. 2010;255:278-88.

6. Prakash, Rajini T, Mokhasi V, et al. Coeliac trunk and its branches: anatomical variations and clinical implications. Singap Med J. 2012;53:329-31.

7. Koops A, Wojciechowski B, Broering DC, et al. Anatomic variations of the hepatic arteries in 604 selective celiac and superior mesenteric angiographies. Surg Radiol Anat. 2004;26:239-44.

8. Hiatt J, Gabbay J, Busuttil R. Surgical anatomy of the hepatic arteries in 1000 cases. Ann Surg. 1994;220:50-2.

9. Todo S, Makowaka L, Tzakis AG, et al. Hepatic artery in liver transplatation. Transplant Proc. 1987;19(1 Pt 3):2406-11.

10. Scott-Conner CE, Hall TJ. Variant arterial anatomy in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Am J Surg. 1992;163:590-2.










1. PdD, Associate Professor II of Medical Radiology at Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB), João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
2. PhD, Associate Professor IV of Medical Radiology at Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB), João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
3. Graduate Students of Medicine at Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB), João Pessoa, PB, Brazil

Mailing Address:
Dr. Severino Aires Araujo Neto
Avenida Sapé, 1780, ap. 2201, Bairro Manaíra
João Pessoa, PB, Brazil, 58038-382
E-mail: severinoaires@hotmail.com

Received May 12, 2014.
Accepted after revision November 6, 2014.

Study developed at Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB), João Pessoa, PB, Brazil.