CELIAC TRUNK VARIATIONS IDENTIFICATION USING MULTI-DETECTOR COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC IMAGING

Background: Variability in the celiac trunk is frequent and should be taken into consideration when scheduling surgical operations or radiographic intervention, in order to minimize the possibility of unintentional damage to the blood vessels. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of celiac trunk and identify various types of the existed variations using multi-detector computed tomographic angiography. Method: A cross-sectional study which was retrospective had been carried out. Images from the computed tomographic angiography were obtained between June 2017 and March 2018. Using a workstation, 3D reconstructions of the images were made and the normal and anatomical variations of the celiac trunk were examined. IBM SPSS statistic version 22 was utilized to calculate the results. Findings: Out of the 140 patients who were chosen, 23 were not included. With a male to female ratio of 65.8 to 34.2, the average age was 57.3 years. In 54 (46.2%) cases, anatomical variations of the celiac trunk were identified. In 21 cases (17.9%), the origin of the inferior phrenic artery from the celiac trunk was the most prevalent variation, followed by the celiac-colic trunk in 15 cases (12.8%). Nonetheless, some variations which were not included in Uflacker's classification were also seen in 31 (26.5%) of the cases. The association of the inferior phrenic artery with other Uflacker's types, the Buhler arc, the accessory hepatic artery from the celiac trunk, and the association of the celiac-colic trunk with the gastro-splenic and hepato-splenic trunks are among the variations which were identified. Conclusion: Before having any surgery or invasive imaging intervention, it is important to accurately identify and understand the structural variations in the celiac trunk. This can assist interventional radiologists and surgeons in carrying out safe procedures and preventing unintentional vascular damage.