Anatomical variations of the coeliac trunk in the homogeneous Polish population
K Torres1, G Staśkiewicz, M Denisow
1Human Anatomy Department, Medical University of Lublin, Poland. kamiltorres@wp.pl.
Insights
Most coeliac trunks follow a classic pattern, but variations exist. Understanding these anatomical variations is crucial for surgeons to prevent complications during abdominal procedures.
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Vascular Surgery
- Radiology
Background:
- Abdominal vessel abnormalities are common and critical knowledge for surgical procedures.
- The coeliac trunk exhibits significant anatomical variations.
- Assessing coeliac trunk morphology and branching patterns is essential for surgical planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the morphological variations of the coeliac trunk and its branches in a homogeneous population.
- To establish the prevalence of different coeliac trunk branching patterns.
Main Methods:
- 1569 patients underwent standard abdominal multidetector computed tomography (MDCT).
- Examinations were independently reviewed by two radiologists, with consensus for discrepancies.
- MDCT was utilized for detailed anatomical assessment.
Main Results:
- The classic coeliac trunk pattern was observed in 92.7% of cases.
- Variations included gastrosplenic trunk (4.1%), hepatosplenic trunk (2.2%), and coeliac-mesenteric trunk (0.5%).
- Less common variations and absence of the coeliac trunk were also noted.
Conclusions:
- Preoperative knowledge of coeliac trunk variations aids in reducing surgical complications, particularly vascular bleeding.
- Computed tomography is an effective tool for rapid evaluation of coeliac trunk anatomy.
- Understanding these vascular anomalies is vital for safe surgical interventions in the hepato-pancreatic region.
Background:
The abdominal vessels show a number of abnormalities and pathologies knowledge of which is important during open as well as laparoscopic surgeries. One of the most common vessels which pattern has many variations is the coeliac trunk. The present study was undertaken on homogeneous population to assess morphology of the coeliac trunk and to evaluate the possible variability of its branches.
Materials And Methods:
Standard abdominal multidetector computed tomography examinations were performed on a total of 1569 patients diagnosed by 2 radiologists independently; in case of doubts common assessment was performed.
Results:
The coeliac trunk followed the classic pattern in 92.7% of the cases (1455/1569 of patients). The gastrosplenic trunk was detected in 4.1% of cases (64/1569); the hepatosplenic trunk in 2.2% of cases (34/1569); the coeliac-mesenteric trunk was observed in 0.5% of cases (8/1569); the hepatogastric trunk in 0.2% of cases (4/1569); the splenomesenteric trunk was detected in 0.1% of cases (2/1569). In the next 0.1% the coeliac trunk was absent. The hepatosplenomesenteric and the coeliac-colic trunk were not observed in the study population.
Conclusions:
Vascular anatomical abnormality is usually asymptomatic hovewer, its preoperative knowledge is helpful to reduce complications like vascular bleeding when dissecting the hapato-pancreatic region. The coeliac trunk and its branches can be fast and easy evaluated in computed tomography exams performed due to various symptoms from abdominal cavity.
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