title: A segmental approach to computerized tomographic portography for hepatic resection.
abstract: Surgical treatment has proved to be of benefit to patients with primary and metastatic tumors of the liver. However, the ability to localize tumors preoperatively to particular segments within the liver has not been emphasized. The large size of this organ and its complex vascular structure have not allowed the surgeon either to determine accurately the hepatic segment occupied by the tumor or to identify major vascular structures adjacent to the tumor. We have expanded the use of a new roentgenologic technique to determine preoperatively with more clear definition the segmental anatomy of the liver. Computerized tomographic portography (CT-P) images hepatic veins and the segmental branches of portal vein and identifies the anatomic location of tumor nodules. To read the roentgenograms, one first identifies the middle CT-P slice that will cut the transverse scissura. Slices cephalad to the transverse scissura are through segments 7, 8, 4a and 2 in a clockwise order; slices caudad to the transverse scissura are through 6, 5, 4b and 3. Selected CT-P cuts from a series of patients show the typical CT-P configuration of the hepatic vasculature anatomy and the structures that can be identified roentgenologically. The CT-P provides valuable information not previously available preoperatively to the surgeon operating upon the liver.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Institute, Washington Hospital Center, Washington, District of Columbia 20010.
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Sugarbaker
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Chezmar
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Bernardino
mesh_terms: D003287:Contrast Media; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006498:Hepatectomy; D006499:Hepatic Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006503:Hepatic Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008638:Mesenteric Arteries; D011300:Preoperative Care; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media