title: Evaluation of left gastric vein in Chinese healthy adults with multi-detector computed tomography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the classification and diameter of left gastric vein (LGV) in healthy Chinese adults with multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT).
  
  
  METHODS
  MDCT angiography was performed in 234 healthy adults for the portal venous system. CT cross-sectional thin-layer reconstruction combined with maximum intensity projection, volume rendering and multiplanar reconstruction were applied. The diameter of LGV was measured at the point within 2 cm from LGV origination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 234 subjects, 11 subjects (4.70%) who did not have clear images were excluded, and 223 subjects (95.30%) with excellent images were included. The LGV was originated from the portal vein in 46.15%, splenic vein in 30.77%, portal splenic angle in 14.53%, and the left branch of the portal vein in 3.85%. The maximal diameter of LGV was 4.74 ± 0.84 mm with a 95% confidence interval of 4.63-4.85 mm, and the LGV diameter was positively correlated with the weight of patients (R = 0.26, P = 0.006). No significant difference existed in the maximal diameter of LGV at different origination sites (P = 0.35). The diameter of LGV was significantly greater in males than in females (4.90 ± 0.85 vs. 4.56 ± 0.80 mm, P = 0.002), and the maximal diameter of LGV was significantly (P = 0.02) greater in the age range of 30-39 and 40-49 years than in the range of >70 years. No statistical significance (P = 0.36) was detected in the other groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MDCT can clearly display the detailed anatomy and variation of LGV in healthy adults, providing a normal range of LGV diameter for clinical reference for diagnosing possible portal hypertension and for possible intervention.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Medical Imaging , The Second Hospital, Hebei Medical University , Shijiazhuang , China.
authors.forename: Cai-Ying
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: b Department of Medical Research , Shijiazhuang First Hospital, Hebei Medical University , Shijiazhuang , China.
authors.forename: Bu-Lang
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: a Department of Medical Imaging , The Second Hospital, Hebei Medical University , Shijiazhuang , China.
authors.forename: Bing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: b Department of Medical Research , Shijiazhuang First Hospital, Hebei Medical University , Shijiazhuang , China.
authors.forename: Qiong-Ying
authors.initials: QY
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.affiliation: a Department of Medical Imaging , The Second Hospital, Hebei Medical University , Shijiazhuang , China.
authors.forename: Li-Xia
authors.initials: LX
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: a Department of Medical Imaging , The Second Hospital, Hebei Medical University , Shijiazhuang , China.
authors.forename: Ping-Yong
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.affiliation: b Department of Medical Research , Shijiazhuang First Hospital, Hebei Medical University , Shijiazhuang , China.
authors.forename: Xue-Jing
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: a Department of Medical Imaging , The Second Hospital, Hebei Medical University , Shijiazhuang , China.
authors.forename: Qing-Feng
authors.initials: QF
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: b Department of Medical Research , Shijiazhuang First Hospital, Hebei Medical University , Shijiazhuang , China.
authors.forename: Cheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Xiang
authors.affiliation: a Department of Medical Imaging , The Second Hospital, Hebei Medical University , Shijiazhuang , China.
authors.forename: Song
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.affiliation: a Department of Medical Imaging , The Second Hospital, Hebei Medical University , Shijiazhuang , China.
authors.forename: Ya-Fei
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: a Department of Medical Imaging , The Second Hospital, Hebei Medical University , Shijiazhuang , China.
authors.forename: Hai-Qing
authors.initials: HQ
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019412:Anatomy, Cross-Sectional / Q000379:methods; D002681:China; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012016:Reference Values; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D013270:Stomach / Q000098:blood supply*; D014680:Veins / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
keywords: Left gastric vein; classification; computed tomography; diameter; esophageal varices