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.

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.

Rare Anatomic Variation: The Hepatosplenomesentericophrenic Trunk

The rare anatomic variants of the celiac trunk and superior mesenteric artery include the hepatosplenic, hepatosplenomesenteric (HSMT), celiacomesenteric, hepatomesenteric and gastrosplenic trunks. We report a 72-year-old female patient whose computed tomography angiograms indicated a rare anatomic feature whereby the right inferior phrenic artery was inserted in the origin of an HSMT, thus modifying it into a hepatosplenomesentericophrenic trunk (HSMPT). Above the HSMPT, the insertion of the left inferior phrenic artery in the origin of the left gastric artery determined a left gastrophrenic trunk (GPT). Proper identification of this type of rare anatomic variant is of utmost importance prior to different surgical procedures. For example, an HSMT origin of the right inferior phrenic artery is surgically relevant if this artery is an extrinsic pedicle of a hepatocellular carcinoma and is used for embolization of the tumor.

A Rare Pulmonary Arterio-venous Malformation with Circular Shunting Due to Inferior Phrenic Artery Supply with Pulmonary Venous Drainage: a Case Report

A rare case of a pulmonary arterio-venous malformation not requiring treatment is reported. An incidental peripheral right lower lobe intrapulmonary pulmonary arterio-venous malformation was identified on computed tomography. On catheter angiography, no pulmonary artery supply was identified. Systemic artery catheter arteriography identified systemic arterial supply from a conjoined inferior phrenic artery with pulmonary venous drainage to the left atrium. Due to this lung abnormality being a systemic arterial circulation to pulmonary venous circulation (left to left or circular) shunt, no treatment was indicated.