A Comparison of the Celiacomesenteric Trunk in the Caribbean with Global Prevalence Calculated by a Systematic Review

Abstract

Background. Typically, the celiac trunk and superior mesenteric artery branch off separately from the anterior aspect of the abdominal aorta. The celiacomesenteric trunk (CMT) is a rare variant in which those arteries share a common origin. We sought to compare the prevalence of CMT in the Caribbean with the global prevalence as calculated by a systematic review. Methods. In this study, we evaluated all consecutive patients who had multiphase contrast-enhanced CT scans at two major referral centres in the Caribbean from August 30, 2017, to September 1, 2019. In patients with a CMT, we recorded demographic and anatomic details. We then conducted a systematic literature search and retrieved raw data to calculate the global prevalence (number of individuals with a CMT divided by the sum total of study samples). We compared CMT prevalence in our sample with the global prevalence using Pearson’s chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests. Statistical significance was considered to be present when the P value was <0.05. Results. From 832 CTs, 665 scans met the inclusion criteria. There were 16 (2.41%) CMTs: 3 (0.45%) classic CMTs, 12 (1.8%) hepato-mesenteric trunks, and 1 (0.15%) hepato-spleno-mesenteric trunk. Forty-two studies reported on CMTs in a total of 74,320 persons. The global CMT prevalence was comparable (3.88%; P = 0.054 ), but the incidence of hepato-mesenteric variants was significantly lower in our sample (1.8% vs. 3.24%; P = 0.0352 ). Conclusion. There was no difference in the prevalence of a classic CMT in the Caribbean compared to the global prevalence. However, the hepato-mesenteric trunk (incomplete CMT variant) was significantly less prevalent in the Caribbean. Advances in Knowledge: Healthcare professionals performing hepatobiliary interventions must be aware of these differences in order to minimize morbidity during their interventions.

Repair of Celiomesenteric Trunk Aneurysm and Review of the Literature

“…When this cleft does not form, it leads to the common origin of the celiomesenteric trunk (CMT). The incidence of CMT is rare, and it has been reported to be between 0.42% and 2.7% in cross-sectional imaging studies [ 1 ]. CMT aneurysms are exceedingly rare, and less than 50 such cases are described in the literature.…”