# Examining the Branching Patterns of the Hepatis Portae Vena with Computed Tomography Images

## TL;DR

This study uses CT scans to analyze the branching patterns of a liver vein, finding common and rare anatomical variations that could help in liver surgeries and radiology.

## Contribution

The study provides a detailed classification of Hepatis Portae Vena branching patterns using CT imaging in a large sample.

## Key findings

- Type I-a was the most common branching pattern (73.1%), while Type VI-b and Type VII-b were the rarest (0.1% each).
- No significant differences in branching patterns were found between genders or age groups.
- Accurate anatomical knowledge of these variations is important for liver surgeries and radiology.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: The present study aimed to examine the branching pattern images of the Hepatis Portae Vena (HPV), which is one of the vascular structures of the liver, with Computed Tomography (CT), and to uncover the surgical and radiological importance of the variations. Methods: The HPV branching patterns on CT images of healthy liver of 996 individuals (47.8% male, 52.2% female) between the ages of 20 and 59 were evaluated according to previously determined definitions. The division of the main branch of the HPV into ramus (r.), dexter, and r. sinister and the later division of r. dexter into r. anterior and r. posterior branches were called Type I-a, other main branch variations were called Type II-a, Type III-a, and Type IV-a, and the r. dexter variations were called Type V-b, Type VI-b, Type VII-b, and Type VIII-b. Also, all individuals in the present study were examined under four age groups as 20–29, 30–39, 40–49, 50–59, and the data were analyzed in the SPSS 21 software. Results: Type I-a (73.1%) was detected most frequently in all individuals, but Type VI-b (0.1%) and Type VII-b (0.1%) were detected least frequently. Following Type I-a, Type II-a (10.6%), Type III-a (8.2%), and Type V-b (5.5%) were detected, respectively. No statistically significant differences were detected between gender and age groups in terms of the frequency of HPV types (p > 0.05). Conclusions: We believe that accurate knowledge and definition of HPV anatomy will guide liver surgeries and interventional radiology, which are the cornerstones of the treatment of liver diseases.