Anomalies and malformations of visceral arteries in children with extrahepatic portal vein obstruction

Purpose. To study the incidence of anomalies and malformations of visceral arteries and evaluate their role in the treatment of extrahepatic portal vein obstruction (EHPVO) in children
Material and Methods. The study included 155 previously not operated children with EHPVO. A retrospective analysis of the results of three-phase multislice computed tomography with angiography (MSCTA) of visceral vessels was performed. Frequency of visceral arteries anomalies of the abdominal aorta, aortomesenteric angle, the structure of the hepatic, splenic and superior mesenteric arteries (SMA) were assessed. The size of visceral arteries depending on the prevalence of portal vein thrombosis was also assessed.
Results. According to analysis 35 (22.6%) children with EHPVO had abnormalities of visceral arteries. Of them, 14 (11.7%) patients presented with signs of aortomesenteric compression of the left renal vein (LRV). Coeliacomesenteric trunk was detected in 4 (2.5%) children. In one (0.64%) case there was sign of saccular splenic artery (SA) aneurysm. According to data, there was a significant correlation of the diameter of SA and SMA with the age of children (r = 0.58; p = 0.001). According to the study, diameter of arteria hepatica propria in children with portal vein thrombosis (PVT) with extension into superior mesenteric vein (SMV) was significantly lower than in PVT and its branches (2.48 ± 0.23 mm vs 3.15 ± 0.08 mm, p = 0.01). The diameter of SA in children with PVT extended into splenic vein was significantly smaller (4.26 ± 0.19 mm) in comparison to children with PVT and its branches (4.9 ± 0.12 mm, p = 0.01), and children with widespread thrombosis of portal vein system (5.45 ± 0.41 mm, p = 0.05).
Conclusion. Multiple aberrations of the anatomical structures of visceral arteries make any hepatobiliary surgery challenging to surgeons. The study data suggest that MSCTA is an informative method for evaluation of associated anomalies of visceral arteries in children with EHPH.

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