Can multidetector row CT visualize the right and left inferior phrenic artery in a population without disease of the liver?

Purpose: To determine the ability to visualize the origin of the right inferior phrenic artery (RIPA) and the left inferior phrenic artery (LIPA) by multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT) in a population without disease of the liver.

Methods: The origin of the RIPAs and the LIPAs were evaluated using arterial-phase MDCT images in 200 patients.

Results: The RIPA origin was detected in all cases, while LIPA origin was detected in 193 (96.5%) cases. RIPA and LIPA originate as a common trunk from the aorta (16%) and celiac trunk (20%). RIPAs originated separately from the aorta (29%), celiac artery (19.5%), right renal artery (10.5%), left gastric artery (3%), and proper hepatic artery (0.5%). LIPAs originated separately from the celiac artery (38.5%), aorta (16%), left renal artery (0.5%), left gastric artery (2.5%).

Conclusions: Arterial-phase images of MDCT could demonstrate the origin of the non-dilated IPAs in a population without the disease of the liver.