Morphometric Analysis of Celiac Mesenteric Trunk in Computed Tomography Images and a Review of the Literature

Abstract

Aim:Evaluation of the frequency of variation and morphometric findings of the rare Celiac mesenteric trunk (CMT) in Tekirdağ province using computed tomography (CT) images.Materials and Methods:A study population containing 1,919 patients (1,313 males, 606 females; mean age 60.47±14.88 years) with any indication of CT angiographic examination was reviewed retrospectively. The length, diameter, vertical and horizontal angles and orientations (upward, downward, right-sided, left-sided), the level of origin from abdominal aorta and their types were analyzed.Results:Twenty-three (1.19%) CMT patients were detected. In vertical angle evaluation 20 (87%) cases had downward and three (13%) had upward orientations. In horizontal angle assessment 11 (47.8%) cases had right-sided and 12 (52.2%) had left-sided orientations. 60% of type 1 CMT cases had right-sided orientation, while 75% of type 2 cases had left-sided orientation and in both of types, the majority part had downward orientation. Fifteen (65.22%) cases were type 1 and 8 (34.78%) cases were type 2. There was a negative weak correlation between the length and diameter of CMT (p=0.048, r=-0.417). The most common level of origin of CMT was in L1-L2 level (30.4%). The most common level in type 1 was L1-L2 (40%, n=6), while L1 and L1-inferior-end-plate with the same distribution were in type 2 (37.5%).Conclusion:In CMT, especially in terms of prior to surgical planning and arterial interventional procedures morphometric assessment is highly important. In this study, CMTs were found to be mostly type 1, as well as downward (17 degrees±14.28) and left-sided (73 degrees±6.88) orientation.

Keywords

• celiac artery
• mesentery
• computed tomography