Value of Multislice Spiral CT in Hepatic Vein Anatomy

【Objective】 To study the three dimensional topography of the hepatic vein(HV),the inferior vena cava(IVC) and the inferior right hepatic vein(IRHV) in the retrohepatic and pre-IVC tunnel by 16-slice CT in adults.【Methods】 One hundred and sixty volunteers were examined by 16-slice CT isotropic scanning.Then multi-direction MPR(multi-planar reformation) and VR(volume rendering) imaging were performed to display HV,IVC and IRHV on coronal and sagittal planes besides axial images.The hepatic veins were grouped according to the way by which the hepatic vein entered IVC.The angles between the right hepatic vein and the middle hepatic vein or the trunk of hepatic vein on IVC were recorded.The frequency of IRHV was observed,and the length of the tunnel was measured.【Results】 Of the 160 patients examined,146 cases(91.3%) had a right hepatic vein and a common trunk of the middle hepatic vein and left hepatic vein entering IVC,and 14 cases(8.7%) had three hepatic veins respectively entering IVC.The mean value of the angles between the right hepatic vein and middle hepatic vein or the trunk of hepatic vein were(52±17)0.The IRHV was observed in 33 cases(20.6%).【Conclusion】 Multi-direction adjusted coronal MPR imaging has displayed the extension roundly and directly for the hepatic veins by multi-slice CT,which can provide an anatomic reference for the liver surgery.