Morphology and Morphometric Analysis of the Caudate Lobe of Human Liver in Eastern India- A Cross-sectional Cadaveric Study

Abstract

Introduction: The unique feature of caudate lobe of liver is that it has a dual blood supply. Since it is supplied both by branches of portal vein and hepatic artery, it may undergo compensatory hypertrophy in different hepatic diseases like cirrhosis of liver. In addition, excessive localised growth of the liver may be manifested as accessory lobules. Previous studies in different settings had implied an ethnic predisposition affecting the morphology of the liver. All these factors revealed an urgent need for further research regarding the surface variations and morphometry of the caudate lobe. Aim: To study the morphological variations and morphometric measurements of the caudate lobe of the human liver in eastern India. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was undertaken on 51 formalin fixed adult human livers in Department of Anatomy, Medical College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India from March 2021 to September 2021. Vernier calliper was used to measure the Transverse Diameter (TD), Vertical Diameter (VD) and Anteroposterior Diameter (APD) of caudate lobe. In addition, the TD and APD diameters of Porta hepatis and TD of the right lobe of liver were also measured. Morphological variations were noted. The morphometric measurements and morphological variations of caudate lobe of liver were entered in Excel sheet which were further transported to IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences software (SPSS) version 12.0 (free version) for further analysis. Morphometric measurements were analysed by using descriptive statistics. Caudate to right lobe (CRL) ratio was calculated manually. Results: Most common type of shape of caudate lobe was rectangular (37.25%). Mean values (in cm) of TD, VD, APD of caudate lobe were 2.4±0.54, 4.7±0.75, 1.9±0.51 respectively. The value of mean CRL (caudate to right lobe) ratio was 0.30. Conclusion: A detailed anatomical knowledge of the caudate lobe would be helpful to the surgeon to suitably plan hepatic resections and may also guide the radiologist regarding correct interpretation of imaging technique.