Anatomical variants of coeliac trunk in Polish population using multidetector computed tomography angiography

Abstract

Background: Multidetector computed tomography angiography (MDCTA) has become a major part in evaluation of normal anatomy and its variants in patients undergoing operative or interventional procedures. The purpose of this study was to assess the frequency of anatomical variation of coeliac trunk in patients undergoing MDCTA of the abdominal aorta.

Materials and methods: A descriptive, retrospective study was carried out on MDCTAs performed from January 2014 till January 2020 in Polish patients. Coeliac trunk was studied and normal and anatomical variations were noted according to Adachi's classification. All patients with abnormalities affecting the vessels or a history of any vascular abnormality were excluded from the study.

Results: Out of total 1000 patients, hepatogastrosplenic trunk was found in 93.0%. True and false types of trifurcation were observed. Hepatosplenic trunk was found in 2.8%, coeliacomesenteric trunk in 1.1%, hepatomesenteric trunk in 1.7% gastrosplenic trunk was found in 1.4%. We have not observed hepatosplenomesenteric trunk.

Conclusions: The type and knowledge of anatomy is of prime importance for an optimum preoperative planning in surgical or radiological procedure. MDCTA allows minimally invasive assessment of arterial anatomy with high quality three-dimensional reconstruction images.

Keywords: coeliac trunk; multidetector computed tomography angiography; variations.