open access

Vol 81, No 2 (2022)
Original article
Submitted: 2020-08-21
Accepted: 2021-02-01
Published online: 2021-03-01
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Anatomical variations of the hepatic artery: a closer view of rare unclassified variants

A. Imam1, C. Karatas1, N. Mecit1, A. Durur Karakaya2, T. Yildirimoglu1, M. Kalayoglu1, T. Kanmaz1
·
Pubmed: 33749803
·
Folia Morphol 2022;81(2):359-364.
Affiliations
  1. Liver Transplantation Department, Koc University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
  2. Radiology Department, Koc University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

open access

Vol 81, No 2 (2022)
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Submitted: 2020-08-21
Accepted: 2021-02-01
Published online: 2021-03-01

Abstract

Background: Defining the hepatic artery anatomy is of great importance for both surgeons and radiologists. Michel classification was designed to classify hepatic artery variations. Nevertheless, there are variations that do not fit into this classification. In this study, we aim to define the incidence of all variations in a healthy liver donor by reviewing their computed tomography (CT) scan with special emphasis on variations that do not fit in any of the Michel classes.
Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis of CT scan of donors and potential liver donors who were evaluated by triphasic CT scan. The CT scans were reviewed independently by a radiologist and two transplant surgeons. Cases that did not fit in any of the Michel classes were classified as class 0.
Results: Out of 241 donors, 210 were classified within the Michel classification, of which 60.9% were class I and 9.1% class II. Thirty-one (12.9%) donors classified as class 0. Of which, nine, three, two and three had replaced right hepatic artery from pancreaticoduodenal artery, gastroduodenal artery, aorta and coeliac artery, respectively. Two and six donors had accessory right hepatic artery from pancreaticoduodenal artery and gastroduodenal artery, respectively. Segment 4 artery originated from left and right hepatic artery in 56.8% and 31.9%, respectively.
Conclusions: A great caution should be taken when evaluating the hepatic artery anatomy, clinicians should anticipate and be familiar with the rare unclassified variations of the hepatic artery.

Abstract

Background: Defining the hepatic artery anatomy is of great importance for both surgeons and radiologists. Michel classification was designed to classify hepatic artery variations. Nevertheless, there are variations that do not fit into this classification. In this study, we aim to define the incidence of all variations in a healthy liver donor by reviewing their computed tomography (CT) scan with special emphasis on variations that do not fit in any of the Michel classes.
Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis of CT scan of donors and potential liver donors who were evaluated by triphasic CT scan. The CT scans were reviewed independently by a radiologist and two transplant surgeons. Cases that did not fit in any of the Michel classes were classified as class 0.
Results: Out of 241 donors, 210 were classified within the Michel classification, of which 60.9% were class I and 9.1% class II. Thirty-one (12.9%) donors classified as class 0. Of which, nine, three, two and three had replaced right hepatic artery from pancreaticoduodenal artery, gastroduodenal artery, aorta and coeliac artery, respectively. Two and six donors had accessory right hepatic artery from pancreaticoduodenal artery and gastroduodenal artery, respectively. Segment 4 artery originated from left and right hepatic artery in 56.8% and 31.9%, respectively.
Conclusions: A great caution should be taken when evaluating the hepatic artery anatomy, clinicians should anticipate and be familiar with the rare unclassified variations of the hepatic artery.

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Keywords

anatomical variations, computed tomography, hepatic artery, replaced right hepatic artery, gastroduodenal artery, pancreaticoduodenal artery

About this article
Title

Anatomical variations of the hepatic artery: a closer view of rare unclassified variants

Journal

Folia Morphologica

Issue

Vol 81, No 2 (2022)

Article type

Original article

Pages

359-364

Published online

2021-03-01

Page views

5677

Article views/downloads

1218

DOI

10.5603/FM.a2021.0024

Pubmed

33749803

Bibliographic record

Folia Morphol 2022;81(2):359-364.

Keywords

anatomical variations
computed tomography
hepatic artery
replaced right hepatic artery
gastroduodenal artery
pancreaticoduodenal artery

Authors

A. Imam
C. Karatas
N. Mecit
A. Durur Karakaya
T. Yildirimoglu
M. Kalayoglu
T. Kanmaz

References (18)
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