title: Analysis of anatomic variants of mesenteric veins by 3-dimensional portography using multidetector-row computed tomography.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is important to be aware of mesenteric venous variants to perform peripancreatic surgery. We investigated the usefulness of 3-dimensional (3-D) portography.
  
  
  METHODS
  Vessels were reconstructed using computer software in 102 patients undergoing multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) scheduled for gastrointestinal or hepatobiliary-pancreatic surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The superior mesenteric vein (SMV) was composed of single and double trunks around the splenoportal confluence in 78 and 24 patients, respectively. The inferior mesenteric vein joined the splenic vein (68.5%), SMV (18.5%), and splenoportal confluence (7.6%). The left gastric vein joined the splenic vein (46.3%), portal vein (39.0%), and splenoportal confluence (14.7%). Seventy-nine patients showed a gastrocolic trunk, mostly composed of the right gastroepiploic vein and veins from the colonic hepatic flexure. Intraoperative findings were identical to 3-D diagnosis in 68 gastrectomized and 9 pancreatectomized patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although mesenteric venous tributaries are complex, 3-D portography is helpful for surgeons to safely perform peripancreatic surgery.
authors.affiliation: Second Department of Surgery, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, 1-20-1 Handayama, Hamamatsu, Japan. saka1119@hama-med.ac.jp
authors.forename: Takanori
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sakaguchi
authors.forename: Shohachi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Yoshifumi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Morita
authors.forename: Kosuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Oishi
authors.forename: Atsushi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Kazuhiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fukumoto
authors.forename: Keisuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Inaba
authors.forename: Kinji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kamiya
authors.forename: Manabu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ota
authors.forename: Tomohiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Setoguchi
authors.forename: Yasuo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Takehara
authors.forename: Hatsuko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nasu
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Konno
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008297:Male; D008642:Mesenteric Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010179:Pancreas / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D011172:Portography / Q000379:methods*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011300:Preoperative Care; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult