Abstract
An aberrant artery (AA) can frequently be observed coursing through the fissure for the ligamentum venosum (FLV) which was termed the “vessel through strait” sign (VTSS) by us. Fundamental data including the incidence, anatomical composition and clinical significance of VTSS and the AAs composing VTSS are still lacking. We sought to give a systematic demonstration on this issue in the present study. VTSS was respectively analyzed in 2,275 patients and was observed in 357 of them. Interestingly, 319 (89.4%) out of the 357 patients exhibiting VTSS were proved to have left hepatic artery variation (LHAV) (247 with replaced left hepatic artery, 64 with accessory left hepatic artery and 8 with variant common hepatic artery). We therefore hypothesized that VTSS could be a sign that strongly associated with LHAV and could be used for its diagnosis. In the following validating analysis, VTSS gained a sensitivity of 96.3% and a specificity of 98.3% for the diagnosis of LHAV in another bicenter cohort consisted of 1,329 patients. In conclusion, VTSS is a signature radiological sign of LHAV which could be used as an easy and specific method for the diagnosis of LHAV.
Highlights
Variations (HAVs) including left hepatic artery variation (LHAV) are mainly detected by digital subtraction hepatic arteriography (DSHA) or computed tomographic angiography (CTA)
Our results demonstrated that the manifestation of aberrant artery (AA) in FLV occurred in approximately 15% of the patients receiving transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE)
These AAs heterogeneously consisted of at least six different arteries, namely replaced LHA, accessory LHA, common hepatic artery (CHA), accessory left gastric artery (LGA), LIPA and the common trunk of accessory LGA and LIPA, more importantly, 90% of the AAs seen in FLV were either replaced or accessory LHA originating from the LGA, The above finding strongly indicated that vessel through strait” sign (VTSS) is a signature radiological sign of LHAV
Summary
Variations (HAVs) including LHAV are mainly detected by digital subtraction hepatic arteriography (DSHA) or computed tomographic angiography (CTA). DSHA is invasive and cannot be used preoperatively, whereas CTA requires an additional reconstruction procedure that might require extra time and expense and is not routinely applied to all patients. Clinical application of VTSS may provide an easy and specific solution for the non-invasive diagnosis of LHAV. For this purpose, we conducted a validating analysis to evaluate the usefulness of VTSS as a diagnostic sign of LHAV in another bicenter series of 1,329 patients
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
