Multidetector computed tomography angiography of the celiac trunk and hepatic arterial system: normal anatomy and main variants

• Main Authors: Severino Aires Araujo Neto, Carlos Fernando de Mello Júnior, Henrique Almeida Franca, Cláudia Martina Araújo Duarte, Rafael Farias Borges, Ana Guardiana Ximenes de Magalhães
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Colégio Brasileiro de Radiologia e Diagnóstico por Imagem 2016-02-01
• Series: Radiologia Brasileira
• Subjects: Anatomia; Tronco celíaco; Artéria hepática; Tomografia computadorizada multidetectores
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-39842016000100049&lng=en&tlng=en
• ISSN: 1678-7099

Abstract Although digital angiography remains as the gold standard for imaging the celiac arterial trunk and hepatic arteries, multidetector computed tomography in association with digital images processing by software resources represents a useful tool particularly attractive for its non invasiveness. Knowledge of normal anatomy as well as of its variations is helpful in images interpretation and to address surgical planning on a case-by-case basis. The present essay illustrates several types of anatomical variations of celiac trunk, hepatic artery and its main branches, by means of digitally reconstructed computed tomography images, correlating their prevalence in the population with surgical implications.