Third sector aberrant vessels of the liver:

defenition, physiopathology and aspect in imaging

I MARZOUK MOUSSA, A BEN TEKAYA , A FENNIRA , L BEN FARHAT, N DALI, L HENDAOUI

MEDICAL IMAGING AND INTERVENTIONNAL DEPARTMENT MONGI SLIM LA MARSA TUNISIA

GI 11

IntroductionThe third sector is defined by aberrant vessels, mainly by veins entering directly into the liver independently of the portal system.

This contribution is constant, it leads eventually to localized metabolic changes that create pitfalls in imaging.

The purpose of this work is to explain the pathophysiology of this entity and illustrate aspects of imaging through two new cases.

Materials and methodsTwo patients, aged 62 and 51, were reffered to our department for an acute intestinal obstruction for the first and acute pancreatitis for the second.

An ultrasonography and an abdominal computed tomography (CT) were performed for one, a CT scan for the other.

Observation 1

Observation 1 Mrs M.H  51 years old aged woman, without previous medical history was hospitalized in surgery for acute pancreatitis.

An abdominal ultrasonography was performed (Fig. 1), that showed in addition  of a gallbladder lithiasis, a hyperechoic liver steatosis with an ill-defined hypoechoic area of segment IV in relation with an island of  "healthy“ liver .

fig. 1: Ultrasound of the liver, gallbladder stones. Hypoechoic area of segment IV of the liver (arrow) within an overall hyperechoic liver parenchyma .

Anabdominal CT scan (Fig. 2 and 3) was performed for the pancreatic grader and has shown in addition of an edematous pancreas, an ill-defined area of the segment IV of the liver that enhanced in the arterial phase of injection and became isodense to liver parenchyma in portal time ; realizing a disorder of hepatic perfusion.

Observation 1

Fig 2a Fig 2b

fig3

Fig. 2 and 3: Axial abdominal CT after injection of contrast during the arterial phase (Fig. 2) and portal (Fig. 3): ill-defined area of the posterior segment IV of the liver  with enhancement in the arterial time and which disappeared at the portal time.

Observation 1 There was no hepatic tumor mass and no arterial, venous, or portal vascular hepatic anomaly.

The semiology of the perfusion disorder was compatible with the vascularization of segment IV by an aberrant vessel.

Observation 2

Mr L. H.  62 years old aged man, was hospitalized for a bowel obstruction. He was operated  a year ago for acute appendicitis. 

The questioning and physical examination were in favor of a high occlusion. 

Observation 2

Observation 2

Computed tomography was performed ,it showed in addition of small bowel distension, a disorder of hepatic perfusion of segment IV of the liver as a parenchymal enhancement during the arterial phase of injection becomes isodense to the liver in portal phase. 

Fig. 4 and 5: Axial abdominal CT after injection of contrast during the arterial phase (Fig. 4) and portal (Fig. 5): ill-defined area around the gallbladder bed (arrow)  with enhancement in the arterial time and which disappeared at the portal time.

Fig 4 Fig 5

Observation 2There was no hepatic tumor mass and no arterial, venous, or portal vascular hepatic anomaly.

The patient was operated and the occlusion was secondary to a flange. 

The semiology of the perfusion disorder was compatible with the vascularization of segment IV by an aberrant vessel.

Discussion

DiscussionThe liver has the particularity to have  a dual system of arterial and portal input.

There is in  normal state a communication between these two systems  at different anatomical locations such as liver sinusoids and parabiliary plexus.

These communication systems are brought into play physiologically in normal state or in case of abnormal delivery systems. 

DiscussionSome hepatic areas  have a third systemic origin of vascular supply that is done through aberrant veins , and which enter directly into the liver independently of the portal system.

These veins anastomose with the intrahepatic portal system at various sites and are responsible for a focal decrease of  portal perfusion and a small increase in arterial supply. 

Discussion These haemodynamic changes are also responsible for metabolic changes in the hepatocytes, including lipid metabolism which may be the cause of healthy liver area in steatosis or fatty accumulation zones.

  There are mainly three vascular networks: the Cystic vein to the gallbladder bed, the parabiliary venous system, the para-umbilical and epigastric veins.

A single large cystic vein does not exist . Small venous channels on the hepatic side of the gallbladder lead directly into the liver. Other small veins flow toward the cystic duct and merge with channels from the common bile duct before terminating in the portal venous system.

Cystic venous system

 Drawing shows the anatomy of the parabiliary venous system.

  Diagram shows the anatomy of the paraumbilical vein.

Discussion Imaging this third sector is responsible for visible disorders

of hepatic perfusion CT or MRI after injection of contrast by intravenous way. 

Indeed, the vascularized hepatic parenchyma by these aberrant veins shows an enhancement more important  than the liver during the arterial time and becomes isodense to the liver at the portal time. 

Aberrant drainage of the cystic vein in the liver gives the pseudo- lesions around the gallbladder bed.

DiscussionAberrant drainage of the parabiliary venous system causes

artifacts typically localized to the posterior part  (dorsum) of segment IV. 

The epigastric venous system typically provides  perfusion trubles  in  subcapsular liver areas. 

In some situations this third sector is revealed by rounded or oval perfusion disorders , making the differential diagnosis of a tumor almost impossible.

ConclusionThe aberrant vessels are rare and responsible for most pitfalls in CT image.

The differential diagnosis with a hypervascular focal liver lesion can be difficult requiring a good knowledge of their symptomatology.

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