Prevalence of Incidentally Detected Vascular Compressions in Abdominal Computed Tomography

Abdominopelvic vascular structures are exposed to be compressed by adjacent organs or might cause compression of the adjacent hollow viscera. Most of these conditions are asymptomatic and they are detected on imaging incidentally. However, when they are symptomatic, they can lead to a variety of uncommon syndromes in the abdomen and pelvis. Aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of incidental abdominopelvic vascular compressions on computed tomography.

A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted. All the CT was performed using 64 slice machine. All computed tomography scan of the abdomen between January and April 2019 were evaluated. Data were collected by evaluating abdominal Computed Tomographic scans from Picture archiving and communication system (PACS). Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS version 25.0 software.

Out of 623 multi detector abdominopelvic computed tomography (MDCT) performed between January 2019 and April 2019; a total of 513 (N = 513) patients were included in the study. This study group comprised of 277 (54 %) females and 236 male (46%) patients. Mean age was 38 ± 20 (mean ± SD). We identified 35(6.8%) participants with imaging features of Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) compressions and a 34(6.6%) with imaging features of nutcracker phenomenon. The celiac artery was compressed by median arcuate ligament (MAL) in 22(4.3%) of them.

Incidentally detected intraabdominal vascular compressions are common to asymptomatic patients. This result emphasizes that, vascular compression syndromes diagnosis should not be made on imaging alone.