Berrin DEMİR, Adnan OKUR
Van Medical Journal - 2026;33(4):465-472
Introduction: This study aimed to determine the liver's arterial, portal, and venous anatomy and its variations in liver transplantation donor candidates using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and color Doppler imaging (CDI). We also compared CDI with MDCT to investigate its reliability in detecting variations. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two healthy donors, 15 females and 17 males aged 19-60 years, who applied as candidates for liver donation, were evaluated using dynamic contrast-enhanced abdominal CT and color Doppler imaging. A single radiologist performed the examination. The examinations evaluated the anatomy of the hepatic arterial, portal venous, and hepatic venous systems, as well as vascular variations. Results: Arterial variation was detected at a rate of 46.8% with tomography, while the CDI evaluation showed a lower rate of 15.5%. Portal venous variations were observed at a rate of 31.3% on CT and a rate of 15.5% using sonography. Furthermore, the v5 and v8 branches, which drain into the middle hepatic vein, are most commonly observed in 59.3% of CT, but they were demonstrated in only 15.5% of CDI examinations. Conclusion: A detailed preoperative examination of the vascular anatomy of hepatic donors is essential to prevent complications. Doppler ultrasonography is less effective than CT angiography in detecting vascular variations. However, it can be an alternative method in cases where CT angiography cannot be performed and is particularly helpful in the postoperative period.
