Left hepatic duct anatomy: implications

A review of the findings of a 10-year experience with biliary interventional procedures in 838 patients led to consideration of the anatomy of the left hepatic duct. To better illustrate the findings, 15 normal human livers obtained at autopsy were fixed and dissected. Fifty-five percent of the pati...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Radiology Vol. 174; no. 2; p. 353
Main Authors:	Russell, E, Yrizzary, J M, Montalvo, B M, Guerra, Jr, J J, al-Refai, F
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	United States 01-02-1990
Subjects:	Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic - anatomy & histology Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic - diagnostic imaging Cholangiography Humans Liver - anatomy & histology Radiography, Interventional
Online Access:	Get more information
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Summary:	A review of the findings of a 10-year experience with biliary interventional procedures in 838 patients led to consideration of the anatomy of the left hepatic duct. To better illustrate the findings, 15 normal human livers obtained at autopsy were fixed and dissected. Fifty-five percent of the patients had a single left hepatic duct that was formed by the intrahepatic union of ducts draining segments II and III (segmental nomenclature follows Couinaud) lateral to the falciform ligament. Central to this ligament, the left duct became extrahepatic and was joined by ducts from segments I and IV. The real and theoretical implications of the unpredictable variability of biliary anatomy, the frequency of right lateral duct drainage into the left hepatic duct, and the extrahepatic contiguous relationship between the left hepatic duct and the left portal vein are discussed.
ISSN:	0033-8419
DOI:	10.1148/radiology.174.2.2296644