Variations in hepatic circulation: a study of 500 abdominal computed tomography scans

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Surgical Anatomy
• Vascular Anatomy

Background:

• Knowledge of liver and abdominal organ vascular anatomy is essential for surgical planning and patient outcomes.
• Variations in vascular anatomy can impact surgical success and lead to complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of anatomical variations in the proper hepatic artery and portal vein.
• To analyze computed tomography (CT) findings of abdominal vascular anatomy.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 500 three-phase abdominal CT scans.
• Classification of arterial variations using the Michels system.
• Classification of portal vein variations using the Cheng system.

Main Results:

• Arterial vascularization variations were observed in 31.2% of cases, with type V being most common (8.2%).
• Venous vascularization variations were present in 21.8% of cases, with type IV being most common (8%).
• No cases of type X arterial variation were found; 0.4% were unclassified.

Conclusions:

• Awareness of vascular variations and their prevalence is vital for surgical management of upper abdominal conditions.
• Unclassified variations require categorization based on clinical significance.
• Further research is needed to establish national population patterns for these vascular variations.