Correlation of Multi-Detector Computed Tomography and Intraoperative Variations of the Celiac Trunk and Hepatic Artery in Resectable Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Cancers

Introduction Knowledge of celiac artery variations is imperative to perform complex hepato-biliary pancreatic surgical procedures to avoid inadvertent complications. Multi-detector computed tomographic (MDCT) angiography aids in detecting these variations preoperatively. Surgical confirmation is considered the gold standard. Aims and objectives Preoperative assessment of celiac artery variations by MDCT angiography and surgical confirmation intraoperatively in resectable hepato-biliary pancreatic cancers. Patients and methods MDCT angiography was performed in 40 patients with clinical evidence of resectable hepato-biliary-pancreatic cancers. Three dimensional (3D) reconstructions were performed to confirm the celiac artery variations. Surgery was performed as per the institute’s protocol in all these patients for resection of tumor and confirmation of celiac artery anatomy. Variations were confirmed surgically that were identified through imaging. Results MDCT angiography identified normal trifurcated celiac artery anatomy in 33 (82.5%) patients and variant anatomy in seven (17.5%) patients. The most common variation was a replaced right hepatic artery (r-RHA) from the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) in four (10%) of patients. A replaced left hepatic artery (r-LHA) from the celiac trunk, a common hepatic artery (CHA) from the abdominal aorta, and an accessory right hepatic artery (ac-RHA) from the proper hepatic artery itself were identified in one (2.5%) patient each, respectively. All these findings were confirmed intraoperatively. There was a 100% statistical correlation between imaging and surgical findings. Conclusion Surgical confirmation of radiological data of celiac artery variations is the gold standard to avoid disastrous complications such as inadvertent vascular bleeds, biliary injuries, and hepatic necrosis. Since the presence of variations warrants the preservation or excision of the arterial system without oncological compromise and minimizing surgical complications.