3\ Hepatic Artery

3.1\ Longitudinal Scan

of the Common Hepatic

Artery and Splenic Artery from the Upper Abdomen

artery and splenic artery can be obtained. The major area is the longitudinal section of the common hepatic artery and splenic artery.

3.1.2\ Section Structure

Longitudinal section of the common hepatic artery, proper hepatic artery, splenic artery, and CA; upper edge of the pancreas and cross-section of the IVC and Ao.

3.1.3\ Measurement Method and Normal Value

The inner diameters of the common hepatic artery, proper hepatic artery, and splenic artery are measured; the inner diameters of the common hepatic artery and proper hepatic artery are 0.39 ± 0.07 cm and 0.33 ± 0.07 cm, respectively.

Fig. 9.9  Longitudinal scan of the common hepatic artery and splenic artery from the upper abdomen

3.1.1\ Scanning Method

The patient should be on an empty stomach for 8–12 h, and should be in a supine position. The probe is placed at the subxyphoid level. After showing a standard transverse scan of the pancreas, the probe will scan posterosuperiorly so a longitudinal section of the common hepatic

3.1.4\ Clinical Application Value

(1)To judge whether the hepatic artery is obstructed, with the presence of an anastomotic stenosis or thrombosis on this section in liver transplant patients. If the color blood flow is interrupted or cannot be shown and the hepatic artery blood flow cannot be measured, this will indicate a vascular stenosis or occlusion.

(2)The hepatic artery blood flow velocity will be quick as a compensatory respons in the case of a primary hepatocellular carcinoma or portal venous obstructive disease, such as portal vein thrombosis or tumor emboli. (3) In patients with splenomegaly, the splenic artery may be dilated and the velocity will be high. (4) If the lymph nodes in the abdomen retroperitoneally appear enlarged, they can be displayed around the CA, hepatic artery, or splenic artery on this section.