Can multidetector row CT visualize the right and left inferior phrenic artery in a population without disease of the liver?

Abstract

To determine the ability to visualize the origin of the right inferior phrenic artery (RIPA) and the left inferior phrenic artery (LIPA) by multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT) in a population without disease of the liver. The origin of the RIPAs and the LIPAs were evaluated using arterial-phase MDCT images in 200 patients. The RIPA origin was detected in all cases, while LIPA origin was detected in 193 (96.5%) cases. RIPA and LIPA originate as a common trunk from the aorta (16%) and celiac trunk (20%). RIPAs originated separately from the aorta (29%), celiac artery (19.5%), right renal artery (10.5%), left gastric artery (3%), and proper hepatic artery (0.5%). LIPAs originated separately from the celiac artery (38.5%), aorta (16%), left renal artery (0.5%), left gastric artery (2.5%). Arterial-phase images of MDCT could demonstrate the origin of the non-dilated IPAs in a population without the disease of the liver.