A Rare Variation of Coeliac Trunk Hexafurcation

Area of Science:

• Anatomy
• Vascular Biology
• Radiology

Background:

• The coeliac trunk (CeT) typically trifurcates into the common hepatic, splenic, and left gastric arteries.
• Anatomical variations in the CeT branching pattern are common, but hexafurcation is exceedingly rare.
• Understanding these variations is crucial for surgical and interventional procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report an incidental finding of a rare coeliac trunk hexafurcation.
• To emphasize the importance of advanced imaging techniques in identifying complex vascular anomalies.
• To discuss the embryological basis and clinical significance of this anatomical variation.

Main Methods:

• Computed tomography angiography (CTA) was used to visualize the arterial anatomy.
• Three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction was employed to analyze the complex branching pattern.
• Detailed morphological analysis of the coeliac trunk and its branches was performed.

Main Results:

• An incidental finding of a coeliac trunk hexafurcation was identified in a 62-year-old female.
• The CeT sequentially branched into the left and right inferior phrenic arteries and the left gastric artery.
• It then terminated in a trifurcation into the common hepatic, splenic, and dorsal pancreatic arteries.

Conclusions:

• Coeliac trunk hexafurcation is an extremely rare anatomical variation.
• Aberrant branches, such as the inferior phrenic and dorsal pancreatic arteries, have significant implications in surgical and interventional procedures.
• High-resolution preoperative imaging and 3D reconstruction are essential for detecting such complex vascular morphologies.