In recent years multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) has been used to investigate vascular anatomy for scientific and diagnostic purposes. These studies allow for much larger sample sizes than traditional cadaveric studies. The aim of this research was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis on studies investigating the variations of the celiac trunk using MDCT. Major medical databases were used to find studies investigating celiac trunk anatomy using MDCT. Extracted information included demographic details, number of normal celiac trunks, and number of each variant celiac trunk. Using a random effects meta-analysis the pooled prevalence of each variation was calculated. A total of 36 studies from 14 countries and four continents were included in the meta-analysis. The total number of subjects included was 17,391. The total prevalence of variant celiac trunks was 10.85%. The different types of celiac trunk variations with their prevalences were: gastrosplenic trunk (3.46%), hepatosplenic trunk (3.88%), hepatogastric trunk (0.24%), absent celiac trunk (0.28%), celiacomesenteric trunk (0.46%), hepatosplenomesenteric trunk (0.26%), gastrosplenomesenteric trunk (0.07%), and celiacomesenteric anastomosis (0.09%). A total of 61 cases (0.19%) were either not described or not described adequately to be included in our classification. Major variations of the celiac trunk are not uncommon and should be anticipated before radiological and surgical interventions. Knowledge of celiac trunk anatomy is important in hepatopancreatobiliary surgery, transplantology, and interventional radiology.

• MeSH
• Anatomic Variation * MeSH
• Celiac Artery anatomy & histology   diagnostic imaging   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Multidetector Computed Tomography MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Meta-Analysis MeSH
• Systematic Review MeSH

PURPOSE: Knowledge of rare variants of the FDP is of high clinical importance for physicians examining patients for tendon lacerations and especially for hand surgeons operating tendon injuries. METHODS: During routine dissection at our Department of Anatomy both cases were observed. RESULTS: Variations of flexor digitorum superficialis and flexor digitorum profundus muscles of the little finger were observed in two cadavers. In both cases, the flexor digitorum profundus muscle for the little finger was absent. Moreover, in the first case, the flexor digitorum superficialis muscle for the little finger was hypoplastic and in the second case it featured variable insertion. CONCLUSION: There were found only four cases in previous literature describing absent flexor digitorum profundus tendon without any muscle attachment to the base of the distal phalanx. Furthermore, all previously described cases were observed in living patients. To our best knowledge, a case report in cadaver has yet not been reported and is of high importance for hand surgeons examining the hand for tendon injuries.

• MeSH
• Dissection MeSH
• Muscle, Skeletal abnormalities   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Cadaver MeSH
• Hand Injuries diagnosis   MeSH
• Tendon Injuries diagnosis   MeSH
• Forearm abnormalities   MeSH
• Fingers abnormalities   MeSH
• Aged, 80 and over MeSH
• Tendons abnormalities   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged, 80 and over MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Case Reports MeSH

PURPOSE: Knowledge of accessory flexor carpi ulnaris (AFCU) is not only important for proper orientation in the surgical field but it can be used for tendon transfer as well. AFCU commonly occurs with concomitant variants, and its presence should rise caution in order to prevent iatrogenic injury. METHODS: During a routine dissection for research data collection at the Institute of Anatomy, a AFCU with concomitant variants was observed in a European cadaver fixed with Thiel's method. A thorough review of the literature concerning all the encountered variants was performed. RESULTS: AFCU was found in the right upper limb with its insertion on the flexor retinaculum. Palmaris longus muscle was absent in this limb, and an accessory branch of the anterior interosseous artery coursed over the pronator quadratus muscle to anastomose with the ulnar artery 5 cm proximally to the pisiform. On the left hand, a variable lumbrical of the second finger originating from the flexor retinaculum was found, which was not described in the literature before. CONCLUSIONS: AFCU commonly occurs together with concomitant variants, and special attention is needed when performing surgery on such forearm.

• MeSH
• Anatomic Variation * MeSH
• Ulnar Artery abnormalities   MeSH
• Muscle, Skeletal abnormalities   blood supply   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Cadaver MeSH
• Forearm MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Case Reports MeSH
• Review MeSH

BACKGROUND: Mastoid emissary vein is especially important from the neurosurgical point of view, because it is located in variable number in the area of the occipitomastoid suture and it can become a source of significant bleeding in surgical approaches through the mastoid process, especially in retrosigmoid craniotomy, which is used for approaches to pathologies localized in the cerebellopontine angle. Ideal imaging method for diagnosis of these neglected structures when planning a surgical approach is high-resolution computed tomography. The aim of this work was to provide detailed information about this issue. METHODS: We studied a group of 295 skulls obtained from collections of five anatomy departments and the National Museum. Both quantitative and qualitative parameters of the mastoid foramen were evaluated depending on side of appearance and gender. Individual distances of the mastoid foramen from clearly defined surface landmarks (asterion, apex of mastoid process, foramen magnum) and other anatomical structures closely related to this issue (width of groove for sigmoid sinus, diameters of internal and external openings of mastoid foramen) were statistically processed. RESULTS: The most frequently represented type of the mastoid foramen is type II by Louis (41.2%). The differences between right and left sides were not statistically significant. In men there was a higher number of openings on the right side and in qualitative parameters the type III and IV predominated, whereas in women the types I and II were more frequent. In men, greater distances from the mastoid foramen were observed when evaluating qualitative parameters for defined surface landmarks. Mean size of the external opening diameter was 1.3 mm; however, several openings measured up to 7 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Despite excellent knowledge of anatomy, however, good pre-operative examination using imaging methods and mastering of microsurgical techniques create the base for successful treatment of pathological structures in these anatomically complex areas.

• MeSH
• Foramen Magnum anatomy & histology   diagnostic imaging   surgery   MeSH
• Craniotomy adverse effects   methods   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Cerebellopontine Angle anatomy & histology   diagnostic imaging   surgery   MeSH
• Postoperative Complications prevention & control   MeSH
• Mastoid anatomy & histology   diagnostic imaging   surgery   MeSH
• Jugular Veins anatomy & histology   diagnostic imaging   surgery   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH