E Oh1, B H Gross, D M Williams. 1. Department of Radiology/TC2910, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor 48109-0326, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The purpose of this work was to illustrate the CT appearance of the independent origin of the hepatic and splenic arteries from the abdominal aorta. METHOD: A retrospective review of available scans from 159 consecutive contrast-enhanced abdominal CT examinations was undertaken to document the frequency with which this vascular variant is seen at helical CT. RESULTS: Independent origin of the hepatic and splenic arteries was seen in 2 of 159 examinations (1.3%). This correlates well with the 1% incidence reported in the angiographic and surgical literature. CONCLUSION: Independent origin of the hepatic and splenic arteries from the aorta should be seen in approximately 1% of abdominal CT examinations. Knowledge of this vascular variant and its CT appearance may prevent confusion or mislabeling.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this work was to illustrate the CT appearance of the independent origin of the hepatic and splenic arteries from the abdominal aorta. METHOD: A retrospective review of available scans from 159 consecutive contrast-enhanced abdominal CT examinations was undertaken to document the frequency with which this vascular variant is seen at helical CT. RESULTS: Independent origin of the hepatic and splenic arteries was seen in 2 of 159 examinations (1.3%). This correlates well with the 1% incidence reported in the angiographic and surgical literature. CONCLUSION: Independent origin of the hepatic and splenic arteries from the aorta should be seen in approximately 1% of abdominal CT examinations. Knowledge of this vascular variant and its CT appearance may prevent confusion or mislabeling.