Rare left colic artery variation of the gut arterial system
S A Memar1, A M Taylor2, S Ahuja2
1A.T. Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kirksville, MO, United States.
Insights
A rare abdominal artery variation was found: a common trunk from the common hepatic artery supplied the left colic artery and other pancreatic branches. This anatomical anomaly is crucial for abdominal surgeries.
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Vascular Anatomy
- Surgical Anatomy
Background:
- Abdominal arterial variations commonly involve the celiac trunk and superior mesenteric artery.
- Understanding these variations is critical for surgical and radiological interventions.
Observation:
- A unique branching pattern of the left colic artery (LCA) was identified during a cadaveric dissection.
- An anomalous trunk originated from the common hepatic artery, not the typical celiac or mesenteric sources.
Findings:
- The anomalous trunk trifurcated into an accessory posterior pancreaticoduodenal artery, the dorsal pancreatic artery, and the LCA.
- The LCA followed an unusual path between the splenic vein and superior mesenteric artery.
Implications:
- This anatomical variation has significant clinical relevance for surgeons and interventional radiologists.
- Awareness of this aberrant LCA origin can prevent complications during abdominal procedures and improve diagnostic accuracy.
Abstract:
Most variations of the abdominal blood supply are related to branching of the coeliac trunk and superior mesenteric artery. This case details a remarkable variation in the branching pattern of the left colic artery (LCA) observed during routine cadaveric dissection of an 84-year-old male donor. An anomalous common trunk, originating from the common hepatic artery, gave rise to three branches: 1) an accessory posterior pancreaticoduodenal artery to the head of the pancreas and adjacent duodenum, 2) the dorsal pancreatic artery anastomosing with branches of the splenic artery, and 3) the LCA. The LCA descended between the splenic vein and superior mesenteric artery to supply the left colic flexure and form a collateral route with the middle colic artery by contributing to the marginal artery of Drummond. Knowledge of this variation is clinically relevant for surgical and radiological procedures in the abdomen.
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