Evaluation of left gastric vein in Chinese healthy adults with multi-detector computed tomography.

Objectives: 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.

Conclusion: 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.