Unraveling Variations in Celiac Trunk and Hepatic Artery by CT Angiography to Aid in Surgeries of Upper Abdominal Region

Understanding of variations in the course and source of abdominal arteries is crucial for any surgical intervention in the peritoneal space. Intricate surgeries of the upper abdominal region, such as hepato-biliary, pancreatic, gastric and splenic surgeries, require precise knowledge of regular anatomy and different variations related to celiac trunk and hepatic artery. In addition, information about the origin of inferior phrenic artery is important in conditions such as hepatocellular carcinoma and gastroesophageal bleeding management. The present study gives an account of anatomical variations in origin and branching pattern of celiac trunk and hepatic artery by the use of CT (computed tomographic) angiography. The study was performed on 110 (66 females and 44 males) patients in a north Indian population. Results unraveled the most common celiac trunk variation as hepatosplenic trunk with left gastric artery, which was observed in 60% of cases, more common in females than in males. Gastrosplenic and hepato-gastric trunk could be seen in 4.55% and 1.82% cases respectively. Gastrosplenic trunk was more commonly found in females, whereas hepato-gastric trunk was more common in males. A gastrosplenic trunk, along with the hepato-mesenteric trunk, was observed in 1.82% cases and was more common in males. A celiacomesenteric trunk, in which the celiac trunk and superior mesenteric artery originated as a common trunk from the aorta, was seen only in 0.91% of cases, and exhibited an origin of right and left inferior phrenic artery from the left gastric artery. The most common variation of hepatic artery, in which the right hepatic artery was replaced and originated from the superior mesenteric artery, was observed in 3.64%, cases with a more common occurrence in males. In 1.82% cases, the left hepatic artery was replaced and originated from the left gastric artery, which was observed only in females. Common hepatic artery originated from the superior mesenteric artery, as observed in 1.82% cases, with slightly higher occurrence in males. These findings not only add to the existing knowledge apart from giving an overview of variations in north Indian population, but also give an account of their correlation with gender. The present study will prove to be important for various surgeries of the upper abdominal region.

Transcatheter Embolization of Systemic-to-pulmonary Artery Fistulas: a Case Report

The systemic artery to pulmonary vessel fistula(SAPVF) is an uncommon vascular abnormal communication between systemic arteries (except bronchial arteries) and the lung parenchyma[1]. It can be divided into congenital and acquired causes. Congenital SAPVF is often accompanied by cardiac or pulmonary artery hypoplasia, and acquired are usually caused by pleural adhesions after pleurisy, empyema, trauma, or surgery[2].We report a case of transcatheter arterial embolization for the treatment of congenital right inferior phrenic artery to pulmonary artery fistula.

Three-dimensional CT Angiography Facilitates Uniportal Thoracoscopic Anatomic Lung Resection for Pulmonary Sequestration

BackgroundPulmonary sequestration (PS) is a rare lesion with independent blood supply from an anomalous systemic artery. A timely resection is considered the best treatment for PS, but the optimal approach is controversial. Three-dimensional computed tomography angiography (3D-CTA) has been widely utilized for precise thoracic surgery. This study aimed to investigate the safety of uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for PS assisted with preoperative 3D-CTA. MethodsThe data of patents with PS who underwent VATS anatomic lung resection between April 2011 and May 2021 in a single centre were retrospectively reviewed. They were divided into uniportal and tow-port groups according to the initial surgical plan. The perioperative parameters including the incidence of conversion to open thoracotomy, operation time, blood loss, complications and chest tube duration were analyzed. ResultsTwenty consecutive patients (9 in uniportal group and 11 in two-port group) underwent VATS for PS, including 12 female and 8 male patients, with a mean age of 45 years old (range, 24-60 years). Nine cases demonstrated recurrent febrile, cough, or hemoptysis; whereas the other 11 patients were asymptomatic. The 3D-CTA was utilized for all patients in the uniportal group and 1 patient in the two-port group. Eighteen (90.0%) intralobar and 2 extralobar PS were confirmed; and 18 (90.0%) lesions were located in the left thorax. The feeding vessels originated from the thoracic aorta in 16 patients (80.0%), the abdominal aorta in 3 (15.0%) and the inferior phrenic artery in 1 patient (5.0%). Thirteen lobectomies, 5 segmentectomies and 2 mass excisions were performed. There was no major bleeding or 30-day mortality. No conversion was needed in the uniportal group; whereas 6 (54.5%) conversions (4 to multiple-port and 2 to thoracotomy) occurred in the two-port group, indicating a significant difference (P=0.008). In addition, the operation time in the uniportal VATS group was significantly shorter than those in the two-port VATS group ([110.6 ± 25.5] min vs. [148.6 ± 42.1] min, P = 0.029). The other perioperative variables were similar between the two groups. During the follow-up of 5-75 months, no recurrence of hemoptysis was recorded. ConclusionPreoperative 3D-CTA facilitates the safe performance of uniportal VATS anatomic lung resection for PS, which might be associated with shorter operation time and lower conversion to thoracotomy.

Embolization in Trauma Patients: What Trauma Radiologists Should Know

Objectives Limited information exists on embolization for trauma patients regarding arteries embolized, embolic materials used, and embolization duration. We clarified the clinical application of embolization in trauma patients and factors associated with a prolonged procedure time. Methods Medical records of 162 trauma patients who underwent embolization between January 2007 and December 2020 at a regional trauma care center were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were divided into six embolized body regions: cerebrovascular, chest, abdomen, pelvis, peripheral, and other. Patient demographics, trauma mechanism, physiology, trauma severity, embolization procedures, and 30-day mortality were examined. The primary outcome was identifying an embolized body region and arteries, and secondary outcome was procedure time. Results Embolization was mainly performed in pelvic fractures (n = 96, 59%) and abdominal organ injuries (n = 57, 35%) and extended to the chest (n = 17, 10%), cerebrovascular (n = 8, 4.9%), peripheral (n = 5, 3.1%), and other (n = 7, 4.3%) regions. Approximately 13% (n = 21) of patients underwent embolization in ≥2 regions. Embolization was more strictly performed in minor artery injuries, e.g. external iliac (n = 15, 16%) and lumbar artery (n = 22, 23%) branches in pelvic fractures, and inferior phrenic artery (n = 2, 3.5%) branches in liver injuries. Non-selective embolization for a pelvic fracture tended to show a shorter procedure time despite no statistically significant difference (p = 0.056). For a longer procedure time, the number of embolized arteries (R = 0.357) and embolized body regions (R = 0.428) correlated. Conclusions Embolizations for trauma patients extended to various trauma regions. In time-sensitive embolization, emergency interventional radiologists showed superior knowledge of expected embolizing arteries and factors associated with procedure time.

Right inferior phrenic artery injury as a complication of needle aspiration: a case report

Background To the best of the author’s knowledge, inferior phrenic artery injury was not documented in the literature as a complication of chest tube insertion or needle aspiration, and our case was the first to be mentioned in literature. Traumatic injury to the inferior phrenic artery is extremely rare. It was reported to be injured by blunt trauma such as motorcar accident and may be associated with another organ injury. Case presentation The present case represents an unexpected event of inferior phrenic artery injury due to iatrogenic chest aspiration. Despite the safe maneuver we have approached in our center using a blunt dissection technique rather than the trocar technique, an unexpected complication occurred. The right inferior phrenic artery was injured with subsequent intra-abdominal bleeding and shock. It was treated successfully by endovascular embolization of the bleeding artery. Conclusions This complication might add a further morbidity and mortality and raising the responsibility of the surgeon to one of the most common daily surgeon’s practices.