Celiac axis stenosis as a rare but critical condition treated with pancreatoduodenectomy: report of 2 cases

Obstructive jaundice as a rare complication of multiple pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysms due to median arcuate ligament syndrome: a case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Obstructive jaundice has various causes, and one of the rarest is pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysm (PDAA), which is often associated with celiac axis stenosis caused by median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS).

CASE PRESENTATION

The patient was a 77-year-old Azeri woman who presented with progressive jaundice, vague abdominal pain, and abdominal distension from 6 months ago. The intra- and extrahepatic bile ducts were dilated, the liver's margin was slightly irregular, and the echogenicity of the liver was mildly heterogeneous in the initial ultrasound exam. A huge cystic mass with peripheral calcification and compressive effect on the common bile duct (CBD) was also seen near the pancreatic head, which was connected to the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and had internal turbulent blood flow on color Doppler ultrasound. According to the computed tomography angiography (CTA) findings, the huge mass of the pancreatic head was diagnosed as a true aneurysm of the pancreaticoduodenal artery caused by MALS. Two similar smaller aneurysms were also present at the huge aneurysm's superior margin. Due to impending rupture signs in the huge aneurysm, the severe compression effect of this aneurysm on CBD, and the patient's family will surgery was chosen for the patient to resect the aneurysms, but unfortunately, the patient died on the first day after the operation due to hemorrhagic shock.

CONCLUSION

In unexpected obstructive jaundice due to a mass with vascular origin in the head of the pancreas, PDAA should be considered, and celiac trunk should be evaluated because the main reason for PDAA is celiac trunk stenosis or occlusion by atherosclerosis or MALS. The treatment method chosen (including transarterial embolization, open surgery, or combined method) depends on the patient's clinical status and radiological findings, but transarterial embolization would be safer and should be used as a first-line method.

Treatment strategy for pancreatic head cancer with celiac axis stenosis in pancreaticoduodenectomy: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND

During pancreaticoduodenectomy in patients with celiac axis (CA) stenosis due to compression by the median arcuate ligament (MAL), the MAL has to be divided to maintain hepatic blood flow in many cases. However, MAL division often fails, and success can only be determined intraoperatively. To overcome this problem, we performed endovascular CA stenting preoperatively, and thereafter safely performed pancreaticoduodenectomy. We present this case as a new preoperative treatment strategy that was successful.

CASE SUMMARY

A 77-year-old man with a diagnosis of pancreatic head cancer presented to our department for surgery. Preoperative assessment revealed CA stenosis caused by MAL. We performed endovascular stenting in the CA preoperatively because we knew that going into the operation without a strategy could lead to ischemic complications. Double-antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) – which is needed when a stent is inserted – was then administered in parallel with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). This allowed us to administer DAPT for a sufficient period before the main pancreaticoduodenectomy procedure while obtaining therapeutic effects from NAC. Subtotal stomach-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy was then performed. The operation did not require any unusual techniques and was performed safely. Postoperatively, the patient progressed well, without any ischemic complications. Histopathologically, curative resection was confirmed, and the patient had no recurrence or complications due to ischemia up to six months postoperatively.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative endovascular stenting, with NAC and DAPT, is effective and safe prior to pancreaticoduodenectomy in potentially resectable pancreatic cancer.

Diagnosis of celiac artery stenosis using multidetector computed tomography and evaluation of the collateral arteries within the mesopancreas of patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy

INTRODUCTION

Celiac artery (CA) stenosis (CAS), caused by various factors, is often asymptomatic because collateral blood flow from the superior mesenteric artery supplies the CA outflow region. The purpose of this study was to investigate the usefulness of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) for diagnosing CAS and associated collateral artery formation, and elucidating the effect of CAS on the numbers and diameters of the arteries within the mesopancreas.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We investigated 106 patients who underwent contrast-enhanced MDCT, before pancreaticoduodenectomy, between January 2015 and September 2019. MDCT was used to determine the percentage stenosis of the CAs; patients were classified into CAS (-) (0-29% stenosis) and CAS (+) (30-100% stenosis) groups. The dissection lines of the mesopancreas were classed as Level I or II, and the numbers and diameters of the arteries along each dissection line were counted and measured.

RESULTS

There were 27 CAS (+) patients and 79 CAS (-) patients. In the CAS (+) group there were more arteries and they had larger diameters than those in the CAS (-) group, at both Levels I and II. There were significantly more arteries when the CA stenosis was ≥30% and they had larger diameters when the stenosis was ≥50%.

CONCLUSIONS

MDCT is useful for diagnosing CAS, and CAS is associated with larger numbers and diameters of the arteries within the mesopancreas.

Two-way Revascularization to Manage Celiac Artery Stenosis during Pancreaticoduodenectomy: A Case Report

Celiac artery (CA) occlusion, or stenosis, is not uncommon, and most cases are asymptomatic. If the CA is occluded, collateral circulation from the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) is maintained through the pancreaticoduodenal arcade. However, the pancreaticoduodenal arcade is removed if pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is performed, which results in ischemia of the liver, stomach, and residual pancreas. Thus, these patients require CA revascularization, which can include antegrade endovascular reconstruction and retrograde reconstruction using vascular anastomosis from the SMA system to the CA system. Both methods carry risks of restenosis or anastomotic thrombosis. We report a technique that involves a combination of both revascularization methods in an 89-year-old man who underwent PD for lower bile duct cancer. Preoperative endovascular stent placement in the CA preserved antegrade blood flow to the liver, and intraoperative vascular anastomosis of the jejunal artery and right gastroepiploic artery achieved retrograde blood flow. Although we confirmed both stent and anastomosis patency and blood circulation in our case, obstruction of 1 of these revascularization pathways would not likely lead to ischemia of the liver. Thus, our 2-way revascularization technique for managing celiac artery stenosis during PD may reduce the risk of organ ischemia.

Celiacomesenteric trunk associated with superior mesenteric artery aneurysm: A case report and review of literature

In rare cases, the celiac artery and the superior mesenteric artery arise from a common origin known as a common celiacomesenteric trunk. Celiac trunk stenosis or occlusion has been reported to accompany this anatomical aberrancy. Even rarer, are aneurysms associated with this common celiacomesenteric trunk. In general, visceral artery aneurysms are uncommon. We hereby present a 39-year-old female patient with a 1-month history of mild diffuse abdominal pain, with an incidental finding of superior mesenteric artery aneurysm on abdominal ultrasound. Subsequent contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed severe narrowing of the celiac trunk and saccular aneurysmal dilatation of the superior mesenteric artery. Coil embolization of the aneurysm was performed, while maintaining persistent flow in the superior mesenteric artery and celiacomesenteric trunk. Visceral artery aneurysms are increasingly being identified incidentally with improvement in imaging techniques. The question lies whether to treat these aneurysms or observe. No universal guidelines exist regarding that matter, but the decision to intervene is made based on aneurysm location, size, and patient characteristics.

Pancreatoduodenectomy co-morbid with celiac axis compression syndrome: a report of three cases

Background

Celiac axis compression syndrome (CACS) is a relatively rare disease. Because of the nature of the blood flow in the celiac region when a pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) is performed for CACS, the celiac region can become ischemic. The aim of this study is to report on the importance of pre-operative diagnosis of CACS in terms of the outcomes for patients post-operatively. In this study, three 3 cases of PD co-morbid with CACS are reported: one intra-operative diagnosis case and two pre-operative diagnosis cases.

Case presentation

The one case, not diagnosed with CACS prior to the operation, had a hard post-operative course because of complication caused by ischemia of the celiac region compared with the two cases diagnosed prior to the operation, who had a good post-operative course because of pre-operative or intra-operative intervention.

Conclusions

Post-operative complications due to CACS are preventable by pre-operative diagnosis and appropriate interventions.

Arterial communication around the pancreatic tail enabled division of the gastroduodenal artery during pancreaticoduodenectomy in patient with complete celiac artery occlusion: a case report

BACKGROUND

Stenosis or obstruction of the celiac artery (CA) is known as celiac artery stenosis (CAS) and is usually accompanied by the formation of arterial anastomosis between the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) system and the CA system. Arterial bypass is mainly achieved through the gastroduodenal artery (GDA); therefore, the division of the GDA during pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) could pose a problem in patients with CAS.

CASE PRESENTATION

We reported a case of PD presenting complete occlusion of the CA, in which perfusion to organs in the CA system was maintained via peri-pancreatic arterial communication. There were complicated arterial anastomoses around the pancreas, which were clearly visualized on a three-dimensional reconstruction of the arterial system using multi-detector computed tomography. Among these complicated anastomoses, one well-developed anastomosis between the SMA and the splenic artery through the dorsal pancreatic artery (DPA) was identified. The DPA was considered to work as a potential collateral pathway from the SMA to organs in the CA system after division of the GDA. During surgery, Doppler ultrasonography detected hepatopetal arterial flow even after the GDA clamping; therefore, we performed typical PD with division of the GDA. The postoperative course of the patient was uneventful, and there was no sign of ischemic complications in the CA system organs including the liver, stomach or spleen.

CONCLUSIONS

Three-dimensional reconstruction of the arterial system using multi-detector computed tomography and the intraoperative GDA clamping test were useful to determine whether it was possible to divide the GDA in PD, in the case of CAS.