Unusual formation and distribution of the superficial palmar arch – A case report

Abstract

Celiacomesenteric trunk is a very rare vascular anomaly with a reported incidence of 0.54 %–3.4 % and represents the common trunk of origin of celiac and superior mesenteric arteries. The aim of the present study is to evaluate variations of the celiacomesenteric trunk by multidetector row computed tomography.We have retrospectively reviewed contrast enhanced computed tomographic scans of 682 patients and found celiacomesenteric trunk and its variants in 19 cases, 9 males and 10 females.The classical celiacomesenteric trunk, dividing into celiac and superior mesenteric arteries, was observed in 3 cases only. Hepatosplenomesenteric trunk with independent origin of left gastric artery from aorta was noted in 3 cases. In one case hepatomesenteric trunk with independent origin of splenic and left gastric arteries was noted. Nine cases exhibited hepatomesenteric and gastrosplenic trunks. Only in one case, the hepatosplenic and gastromesenteric trunks were seen. Two cases exhibited incomplete type of hepatomesenteric trunk not classified before. The most common celiacomesenteric trunk variant observed in this study is the hepatomesenteric trunk.Any pathology involving this single celiacomesenteric trunk can lead to catastrophic consequences jeopardizing the vascular supply of major abdominal organs. Thorough knowledge of these anatomical variants is of paramount importance to laparoscopic surgeons, interventional radiologists and clinicians alike for proper preprocedural planning to prevent any inadvertent injury to the variant arterial trunks.