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Multiple variations of the coeliac axis, hepatic and renal vasculature as incidental findings illustrated by MDCTA

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Abstract

Vascular anatomical variations are not uncommon and may affect any organ’s arterial or venous vasculature. The coexistence of variations in different organic systems is less commonly found, but of great clinical significance in a series of clinical conditions like organ transplantation and surgical preoperative planning. Multidetector computed tomography angiography (MDCTA) has emerged as a valuable alternative to the conventional angiography for accurate evaluation of vascular anatomy and pathology. Radiologists should be familiar with each organ’s vascular variations and always report them to the clinician, even if they represent an incidental finding. This case report presents a 52-year-old female patient undergoing abdominal MDCTA for characterization of a renal lesion. This examination revealed the presence of three hilar arteries on the left kidney, a main renal vein in combination with an additional renal vein in both sides along with a replaced right hepatic artery originating from the superior mesenteric artery. Moreover, both inferior phrenic arteries were found originating from the coeliac axis. 3D volume rendering technique images were used in the evaluation of vascular anatomy as illustrated in this case report.

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Correspondence to Vasileios Rafailidis.

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Rafailidis, V., Papadopoulos, G., Kouskouras, K. et al. Multiple variations of the coeliac axis, hepatic and renal vasculature as incidental findings illustrated by MDCTA. Surg Radiol Anat 38, 741–745 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-015-1598-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-015-1598-1

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