Unusual variations in the branching pattern of the coeliac trunk and their clinical significance.

BACKGROUND: The anatomical variations of the coeliac trunk are due to developmental changes in the ventral segmental arteries. Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) has been used to investigate vascular anatomy for scientific and diagnostic purposes. These studies allow for much larger sample sizes than traditional cadaveric studies. The aim of this research was to isolate rare anatomical variants of the coeliac trunk and emphasize their clinical significance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive, retrospective study was carried out on MDCT angiographies performed from January 2020 till March 2020 in Polish patients. Coeliac trunk was studied and normal and anatomical variations were identified. RESULTS: Out of total 350 patients, hepatogastrosplenic trunk was predominant. However, we observed: coeliaco-mesenteric and hepatogastric trunk type, hepatic artery variations and coeliac axis stenosis with collateral mesenteric circulation. CONCLUSIONS: Rare variations of the coeliac trunk should always be anticipated before radiological and surgical interventions. Knowledge of unusual coeliac trunk anatomy is important in hepatopancreatobiliary surgery, transplantology, and interventional radiology.

Anatomical variants of coeliac trunk in Polish population using multidetector computed tomography angiography.

BACKGROUND: Multidetector computed tomography angiography (MDCTA) has become a major part in evaluation of normal anatomy and its variants in patients undergoing operative or interventional procedures. The purpose of this study was to assess the frequency of anatomical variation of coeliac trunk in patients undergoing MDCTA of the abdominal aorta. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive, retrospective study was carried out on MDCTAs performed from January 2014 till January 2020 in Polish patients. Coeliac trunk was studied and normal and anatomical variations were noted according to Adachi's classification. All patients with abnormalities affecting the vessels or a history of any vascular abnormality were excluded from the study. RESULTS: Out of total 1000 patients, hepatogastrosplenic trunk was found in 93.0%. True and false types of trifurcation were observed. Hepatosplenic trunk was found in 2.8%, coeliacomesenteric trunk in 1.1%, hepatomesenteric trunk in 1.7% gastrosplenic trunk was found in 1.4%. We have not observed hepatosplenomesenteric trunk. CONCLUSIONS: The type and knowledge of anatomy is of prime importance for an optimum preoperative planning in surgical or radiological procedure. MDCTA allows minimally invasive assessment of arterial anatomy with high quality three-dimensional reconstruction images.

Jugular phlebectasia presenting as globus pharyngeus.

Even though much has been written on the aetiology of globus pharyngeus, it still remains elusive and multifactorial. We present a case of a 54-year-old woman who was referred by an orthopedist to the radiology department with a 6-day history of an intense feeling of "pressure" and "tightness" in the jugular notch.After performing a contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan, a phlebectasia of the right anterior jugular vein was discovered. When trying to determine the cause of the globus sensation one has to consider the possible existence ofa phlebectasia of one of the jugular veins.