Identification of the aberrant hepatic artery with axial spiral CT

J Vasc Interv Radiol. 1995 Nov-Dec;6(6):959-64. doi: 10.1016/s1051-0443(95)71222-2.

Abstract

Purpose: To determine whether axial spiral computed tomography (CT) allows detection of the replaced hepatic artery as part of preoperative planning for pancreatic tumor resection.

Materials and methods: Axial spiral CT scans (8-mm section thickness, 4-mm overlapping reconstructions) were obtained in 50 patients with periampullary tumor and were examined by three radiologists. Readers' interpretations were compared with angiographic results.

Results: Eight patients had an aberrant hepatic artery. Two of the three readers detected or suspected all of these abnormalities (100% sensitivity), and one reader identified seven of eight aberrant arteries (88% sensitivity). However, readers requested angiographic confirmation in 14 of 24 tests. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 96%, 87%, and 88%, respectively, for all readers.

Conclusion: Axial spiral CT may simplify preoperative evaluation of periampullary tumors. However, angiographic support was necessary in most cases in this study. Improvements in CT techniques may eventually allow spiral CT to replace angiography in the examination of these patients.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Ampulla of Vater / surgery
  • Angiography
  • Aorta / abnormalities
  • Celiac Artery / abnormalities
  • Celiac Artery / diagnostic imaging
  • Common Bile Duct Neoplasms / surgery
  • Hepatic Artery / abnormalities
  • Hepatic Artery / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Mesenteric Artery, Superior / abnormalities
  • Mesenteric Artery, Superior / diagnostic imaging
  • Observer Variation
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / surgery
  • Patient Care Planning
  • Preoperative Care
  • Radiographic Image Enhancement
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*