Multiple variations of the hepatobiliary vasculature including double cystic arteries, accessory left hepatic artery and hepatosplenic trunk: a case report

Abstract

Anatomical variations in the origins and branching patterns of the hepatobiliary arterial system may be encountered during both conventional surgical and laparoscopic cholecystectomy. We report a rare case of double cystic arteries arising from both the right hepatic artery and the proximal part of the posterior superior pancreaticoduodenal artery. Additional variations consisting of an accessory left hepatic artery arising from a left gastric which in turn arose from the descending aorta superior to the origin of the celiac trunk and a small left hepatic artery arising from the hepatic proper artery were also noted. The celiac trunk bifurcated into the splenic artery and the common hepatic artery forming a hepatosplenic or lienohepatic trunk. The possible clinical implications are discussed.