Rare variations of hepatic arteries in association with variable origin of gastroduodenal artery found in multidetector computed tomography angiography

Abstract

Three rare anatomical variations were found during study on hepatic arterial vascularisation in multidetector computed tomography angiography. In the first described variation the common hepatic artery (CHA) arises from the celiac trunk (CTr) and supplies right hepatic lobe. The left lobe of the liver is supplied by aberrant left hepatic artery originating as a common trunk with the left gastric artery and the splenic artery. This variation may correspond to the type 2 in Michels’ classification coexisting with one of three possible patterns of the CTr division (when the CHA is the first branch of the CTr and the gastrosplenic trunk is the second one). The second variation corresponds to the very early bifurcation of the CHA arising from the CTr. Both, the right and left hepatic arteries originate separately from the CTr. The gastroduodenal artery (GDA) originates from the left hepatic artery. It may be regarded as the variation of most common type 1 according to Michels. In the third case the CHA gives raise to the GDA and terminates as the right hepatic artery supplying the right lobe of the liver only. The proper hepatic artery is missing and the left hepatic artery arises from the GDA. This variation does not correspond to any types of Michels’ classification.