Digital research of classification of portal vein and measurement of liver volume for Children

Abstract

Objective To classify portal vein and measure liver volume using Computer Assisted Surgical System (Hisense CAS) and provide theoretic rationales for individualized anatomical hepatectomy for children. Methods Thin-layer computed tomography (CT) imaging of 106 cases were reconstructed using Hisense CAS and typing of portal vein analyzed according to its direction and distribution. Anterior portal vein, posterior portal vein and left branch were labeled in different colors. Thus the margins of liver lobe and volume were displayed automatically. Results Hisense CAS could visualize portal vein and measure liver volume distinctly. Portal veins were classified into six types of a (82/106, 77.4%), b (12/106, 11.3%), c (8/106, 7.6%), d (2/106, 1.9%), e (1/106, 0.9%) and f (1/106, 0.9%). Individualized liver segment was divided into anterior portal vein, posterior portal vein and left branch of portal vein. Significant differences existed in liver volume (P<0.05). There was a positive correlation between liver volume and age (R=0.889, P<0.05), height (R=0.914, P<0.05), body weight (R=0.919, P<0.05) and body surface area (R=0.931, P<0.05). Conclusions Variations are complex for pediatric portal veins. And liver volume changes with age, height, body weight and body surface area. Hisense CAS can clearly delineate the adjacent relationship of intrahepatic vascular and liver volume, provide reliable rationales for classifying portal vein and liver segment division and improve success rate of complex hepatectomy. Key words: Portal vein; Imaging, three-dimensional; Surgery, computer-assisted; Liver