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International Journal of Recent Trends in Science and Technology, ISSN 2277-2812 E-ISSN: 2249-8109

Volume 12, Issue 2, September 2014 pp 311-314
Research Article

Evaluation of portal vein anatomy and variations in a south Indian population group on routine abdominal multi-detector computed tomography

Thomas B¹, Basti Ram S², Xavier Joseph V³, Kumbar Vishwanath G⁴

Abstract

Introduction: The portal venous system is associated with a wide range of congenital variations and its preoperative detection is imperative for hepatobiliary surgical and percutaneous procedures. Aims: The purpose of this study is to study the normal anatomy and to determine the incidence of the types of variations and clinical implications of intrahepatic portal vein anatomy detected on routine MDCT multiphase scan of abdomen among Indian adults. Methods and Material: This is a retrospective study done on 200 patients who underwent MDCT of the abdomen, at our institution, for various indications. All scans were done using GE Bright speed 16 –slice MDCT, according to standard abdominal multiphase CT protocols. Main PV variations and right portal vein variations were investigated as 5 separate groups. All cases were assessed by a single radiologist, for the existence of, type, and number of PV variations. Results: In our study of 200 patients, with almost equal sex distribution (males 103/ 200 and females 97 /200), the standard portal venous anatomy was seen in 81.5% and the prevalence of portal vein variation was 18.5 %. Type 2 accounted for (23 /200) 11.5% and was the most common variant followed by type 3 (9 /200) 4.5%. The prevalence of right portal vein variations in our study was 2.5 percent. No significant association was seen between sex distribution and the presence of portal vein variations. Conclusions: Radiologist and surgeons need to be aware of portal vein variations, especially in cases pertaining to liver interventions. Our study shows a relatively smaller incidence of portal vein variation in the Indian study group compared to that of recent literature. However a study on a larger group is imperative to unravel the true extent of portal vein variations in the Indian population.