title: The third time is the charm--anastomosis between the celiac trunk and the left colic artery.
abstract: An atypical case of abdominal vasculature, found in a 58-year-old woman is presented. The multidetector computed tomography angiogram revealed a large tortuous anastomotic vessel between the stem of the celiac trunk and the left colic artery, supplying branches for the left colon and pancreatic body and tail. We propose a simple embryological explanation for the development of this aberrant artery--the longitudinal ventral anastomosis, which connects the precursors of principal visceral arteries in a loop-like manner, loses its direct communication with the superior mesenteric artery but maintains its continuity above and below this level. This variation could pose a problem for radiological interpretation and affect surgical approaches to the aorta, left colon, and the pancreas.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cellular Physiology and Metabolism, Anatomy Sector, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. bojan.stimec@unige.ch
authors.forename: Bojan V
authors.initials: BV
authors.lastname: Stimec
authors.forename: Sylvain
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Terraz
authors.forename: Jean H D
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Fasel
mesh_terms: D001163:Arteriovenous Anastomosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000196:embryology / Q000473:pathology*; D002445:Celiac Artery / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003106:Colon / Q000098:blood supply; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017538:Mesenteric Artery, Superior / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D010179:Pancreas / Q000098:blood supply; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed