64 Multidetector CT angiography in preoperative evaluation of hepatic artery

Purpose: To evaluate the role of 64 multidetector CT angiography in preoperative evaluation of hepatic artery in candidates who underwent hepatic resection. Materials and methods: Sixty-seven patients underwent triphasic CT scan using 64 multidetector CT scanner. They were 33 with hepatocellular carcinoma, 21 with solitary metastases, seven potential donors for liver transplantation, five with gaint haemangiomas, and one with large primary Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The images were analyzed for the depiction of hepatic artery. The frequencies of anatomical variants of the hepatic artery were evaluated based on the classification proposed by Michels' in 1966. The findings was compared and correlated with operative data. Results: Type I variant was seen in 43 patients (64.2) and variants were seen in other 24 patients (35.8%). We found seven patients with type II variant, 11 patients with type III variant, two patients with type V variant, and two patients with VI variant. There were two patients with type variants did not fit Michels' classification. In 55 patients, the surgical findings concurred with 64 MDCT angiography findings (100%). Conclusion: 64 MDCT angiography is an effective, high-resolution, noninvasive imaging technique that readily demonstrates the hepatic arterial map with direct impact on treatment decisions including patient selection for hepatic resection. © 2011 Egyptian Society of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.