PURPOSE: This study was performed to observe the utilization of ultrasonography in locating the position of UAC and to compare the position with anatomical landmarks seen on radiography. METHODS: Optimal position is when the catheter tip is located between T6-T10 or L3-L5 by anteroposterior radiography (AP-R) and above the diaphragm by cross-table lateral radiography (CTL-R). Ultrasonographic studies used a Hewlett Packard Sonos 1000 with 5 MHz scanner, the distance from the catheter tip to the origin of the celiac artery in high position and the distance from the catheter tip to the origin of the renal arteries and to the aortic bifurcation in low position were measured. RESULTS: In 23 of 36 newborns, high type UAC was properly positioned by AP-R, but ultrasonographic examination showed that 3 UAC were malpositioned under 5mm above the origin of the celiac artery. Detection of properly positioned UAC by AP-R had a sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 72.7%. In 19 of 28 newborns, high type UAC was properly positioned by CTL-R, but ultrasonographic examination showed that 2 UAC were malpositioned under 5mm above the origin of the celiac artery. Detection of properly positioned UAC by CTL-R had a sensitivity of 81% and specificity of 71.4%. In 15 of 20 newborns, low type UAC was properly positioned by AP-R, and ultrasonographic examination showed that 1 UAC was malpositioned below the aortic bifurcation. Detection of properly localized UAC by AP-R had a sensitivity of 77.8% and specificity of 50%. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonographic catheter localization is a noninvasive technique that uses no ionizing radiation and has no known deterimental side effects, and allows direct visualization of the pertinent vascular anatomy, providing more information than traditional radiography.
Catheters* ; Celiac Artery ; Diaphragm ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Radiation, Ionizing ; Radiography* ; Renal Artery ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Ultrasonography*

We report the findings of a patient with an asymptomatic Arc of Buhler (AOB) aneurysm, which was successfully treated by transcatheter coil embolization. An abdominal CT and angiography revealed an intact pancreaticoduodenal artery arcade (PDAA) and an anomalous communication between the SMA and celiac axis, termed an AOB. An aneurysm was observed at the origin of the AOB and treated with a transcatheter embolization using coils. A follow-up CT imaging confirmed the total occlusion of the aneurysm with a patent PDAA. The successful results of this treatment suggest that the endovascular therapy of an AOB aneurysm with a celiac axis occlusion and an intact PDAA is feasible and safe.
Adult ; Aneurysm/radiography/*therapy ; Angiography ; Celiac Artery/*abnormalities ; *Embolization, Therapeutic ; Humans ; Male ; Mesenteric Artery, Superior/*abnormalities ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Protein S deficiency is a rare blood disorder associated with an increased risk of thrombosis. Only a few cases of arterial thrombosis of digestive tract have been noted. We report a case of celiac arterial thrombosis and splenic infarction in 46-year-old male with protein S deficiency. Abdominal computed tomography and angiography revealed thrombotic obstruction of the proximal celiac and common hepatic artery with splenic infarction. His total and free antigen of protein S were normal, however, the activity of protein S was low. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was performed to revascularise celiac and common hepatic artery.
*Celiac Artery/radiography ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Protein S Deficiency/*complications/genetics ; Splenic Infarction/etiology/*radiography ; Thrombosis/etiology/*radiography ; Tomography, Spiral Computed

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and etiologies of celiac axis stenosis in asymptomatic individuals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study involved 400 consecutive patients (male: 319, female: 81) referred to us for celiac arteriography between April and July 1999. When celiac axis branches were opacified by collateral circu-lation during superior mesenteric arteriography, the presence of celiac axis stenosis was suspected; lateral projection celiac rteriography was performed and the pressure gradient was measured. The indicators used to determine whether or not celiac axis stenosis was significant were luminal narrowing of more than 50% and a resultant pressure gradient of at least 10 mmHg. Its etiology was deter-mined on the basis of angiographic appearances and CT findings. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients (7.3%) had celiac axis stenosis. The etiology of the condition was extrinsic compression due to the median arcuate ligament in 16 patients (55%) and atherosclerosis in three (10%), while in ten (35%) it was not determined. The incidence of celiac axis stenosis did not vary significantly according to sex, age and the presence of calcified aortic plaque representing atherosclerosis. CONCLUSION: The incidence of hemodynamically significant celiac axis stenosis in this asymptomatic Korean population was 7.3% and the most important etiology was extrinsic compression by the median arcuate ligament of the diaphragm. Atherosclerosis was only a minor cause of the condition.
Angiography ; *Celiac Artery ; Constriction, Pathologic/epidemiology/etiology/radiography ; Female ; Human ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Age ; Peripheral Vascular Diseases/epidemiology/etiology/*radiography ; Prospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Median arcuate ligament syndrome is an anatomic and clinical entity characterized by dynamic compression of the proximal celiac artery by the median arcuate ligament, which leads to postprandial epigastric pain, vomiting, and weight loss. These symptoms are usually nonspecific and are easily misdiagnosed as functional dyspepsia, peptic ulcer disease, or gastropathy. In this report, we presented a 72-year-old male patient with celiac artery compression syndrome causing recurrent abdominal pain associated with gastric ulcer and iron deficiency anemia. This association is relatively uncommon and therefore not well determined. In addition, we reported the CT angiography findings and three-dimensional reconstructions of this rare case.
Abdominal Pain/*etiology ; Aged ; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency/*etiology ; Angiography/methods ; Arterial Occlusive Diseases/radiography ; Celiac Artery/*abnormalities/radiography ; Constriction, Pathologic/complications/*radiography ; Diaphragm ; Humans ; Male ; Recurrence ; Stomach Ulcer/complications/*radiography ; Syndrome ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Weight Loss

We report 2 cases of complicated spontaneous dissection of the celiac artery, which were successfully treated by a stent graft. The first patient was a 47-year-old man who presented with acute abdominal pain. CT scan showed ruptured saccular aneurysm with surrounding retroperitoneal hematoma. The second patient was a 57-year-old man with progressive dissecting aneurysm. Endovascular stent graft was placed in the celiac trunk to control bleeding, and to prevent rupture in each patient. Follow-up CT scans showed complete obliteration of a dissecting aneurysm.
Abdominal Pain/etiology/radiography ; Aneurysm, Dissecting/*therapy ; Aneurysm, Ruptured/prevention & control ; Celiac Artery/*injuries ; Hematoma/etiology/radiography ; Hemorrhage/etiology/radiography ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retroperitoneal Space ; Rupture, Spontaneous/therapy ; *Stents ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/adverse effects

Behcet's disease has been recognized as a systemic vasculitis characterized by the involvement of multiple organs such as orogenital ulcers, eye lesions including uveitis and optic neuritis, and skin lesions including folliculitis and erythema nodosum. Vascular involvement occurs occasionally and is classified into thrombosis and aneurysm. However, massive gastrointestinal bleeding from arterial aneurysm is a rare manifestation of intestinal Behcet's disease. Recently, we experienced a case of intestinal Behcet's disease presenting with massive gastrointestinal bleeding due to aneurysmal rupture of ileo-colic artery. A 30-year-old male with Behcet's disease was admitted because of massive gastrointestinal bleeding. A large ileo-cecal ulcer was revealed as a bleeding focus on colonoscopic examination. Celiac angiography showed aneurysm and stenosis of ileo-colic artery. After the failure of hemostasis with arterial embolization, ileocecectomy was performed. After the resection hematochezia was completely stopped.
Adult ; Aneurysm, Ruptured/complications/*diagnosis ; Behcet Syndrome/complications/*diagnosis ; Cecum/*blood supply/pathology/surgery ; Celiac Artery/radiography ; Colonoscopy ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/*diagnosis/etiology ; Humans ; Ileum/*blood supply/pathology/surgery ; Male ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed