ABSTRACT

Corresponding Author:
Dr. Susan Varghese,
Puthenveedu, T. C. 4/1060,
P. C. Lane, Kowdiar,
Trivandrum-695003.
E-mail: susu_dony@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND

Caudate lobe morphology has significance in diagnostic imaging and in minimally invasive surgery. The present study aims to assess the morphology of caudate lobe and its anatomical independence from rest of the liver, as it may be differentially affected in liver pathologies and may be beneficial for radiologists and surgeons.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Parameters like vertical and transverse diameters of caudate lobe and right lobe were measured with vernier callipers and surface area calculated using butter paper. Biliary drainage, venous supply and arterial supply of 36 adult human cadaveric livers were noted by gross dissection.

RESULTS

Papillary processes, caudate processes and notches were found in majority of caudate lobes studied. Caudate lobes varied in their shapes and measurements. An accessory fissure and lobe were seen. Ratio of surface area of caudate lobe to right lobe varied from 0.061 to 0.410. Portal vein and hepatic artery supplied the caudate lobes by their left branches and biliary drainage was also through left hepatic duct in majority of caudate lobes.

CONCLUSION

The anatomical independence of caudate lobe was assessed and confirmed by its mode of blood supply and biliary drainage. All the caudate lobes had independent vessels and ducts. The papillary process of caudate lobe can cause pitfalls in interpretation of C T images at the porta hepatis. Caudate lobe variations are important for surgeons and radiologists alike for avoiding misinterpretation and for better surgical outcome.

KEYWORDS

Caudate Lobe, Liver, Biliary Drainage, Portal Vein, Hepatic Artery.

BACKGROUND

The liver has been divided into right, left, caudate and quadrate lobes by the peritoneal reflections and by the attachment of ligaments. Caudate lobe is so named, not because it is caudal in position, but because it often gives rise to a tail in the form of an elongated papillary process. The caudate lobe, also called spigelian lobe seems to be different from the rest of the liver in that it behaves in a paradoxical manner, particularly in cases of cirrhosis. It is anatomically independent from rest of the liver.

It is bounded on the left by fissure for ligamentum venosum, inferiorly by porta hepatis, and on the right by inferior vena cava. It is continuous superiorly with the superior surface. It is subdivided into caudate lobe proper, and the papillary process, the caudate process and the paracaval portion which is anterior to inferior vena cava. The caudate lobe is connected to the right lobe of liver by the caudate process which passes laterally between portal vein and inferior vena cava at the porta hepatis. Sometimes, the

Caudate process may be elevated in appearance. Papillary process passes to the left and anteriorly to the region of superior recess of omental bursa. There may be grooves or fissures separating the caudate and papillary process from rest of the liver. Its complex anatomy may cause difficulty in interpretation of cross sectional images, particularly if papillary process is involved in diseases or if it is enlarged.

Liver can be divided into lobes based on the bifurcation of portal vein into left and right branches. According to Couinaud, portal vein divides into left and right branches both of which divide again thus producing four main branches, each supplying a portal sector. Each portal sector is divided again by portal vein. The eight segments are numbered I to VIII clockwise from inferior vena cava. Caudate lobe is the segment I in Couinaud’s classification and it is the only segment which receives blood independently from both left and right branches of portal vein. Portal vein divides into right and left branches at the hilum. Left portal branch has a longer extraparenchymal course and tends to be slightly more horizontal than the right branch. It has horizontal and vertical portions. Horizontal portion runs along the base of segment VI and often gives branches to segment I and also to segment VI.

The Glissonian sheaths to segment I arises from both right and left main sheaths. The segment therefore receives vessels independently from left and right portal vein and hepatic arteries and drain independently into inferior vena cava by multiple small branches. Bile ducts draining segment I are closely related to the confluence of the right and left hepatic ducts.

Arterial blood from Hepatic artery accounts for only 20-25% of blood received by liver, is distributed initially to non-parenchymatous structures, particularly the intrahepatic bile ducts. Proper hepatic artery divides into right and left branches at the porta hepatis before they run into the parenchyma of the liver. Segmental arteries are usually end arteries and collaterals can occur between segments.

Shape of caudate lobe is variable as also its anterior and upper margin. Morphology of caudate lobe has significance in diagnostic imaging and also minimally invasive surgical approaches. The caudate lobe shows compensatory hypertrophy in cirrhosis and is spared from atrophy. Thus, we have taken up this study as it may give better surgical outcome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study was done in 36 formalin fixed adult human livers obtained from the Department of Anatomy, Government T D Medical College, Alappuzha, Kerala.

Study Design

Descriptive study.

Diseased livers were excluded from the study. The gross anatomy of caudate lobe was studied for its shape, presence or absence of fissures, or notch and presence or absence of papillary and caudate processes and their variations. Caudate lobe area to right lobe area ratio (CL\RL) was also noted. The maximum transverse dimension of the caudate lobe and right lobe and the vertical extent of both caudate lobe and right lobe were measured using vernier callipers and measuring tape. The area of caudate lobes and right lobes were calculated by marking their outline on butter paper.

• Length of caudate lobe and right lobes were measured at the level of the maximum longitudinal extension.
• Transverse diameter of caudate lobe is the distance from the most medial margin to right lateral wall of the portal vein.
• Transverse diameter of right lobe extends from the right lateral wall of the portal vein to the most lateral margin of the right lobe.

The vessels and bile duct at porta hepatis were dissected and traced to the caudate lobe to see its supply and biliary drainage. All findings were documented.

The range of various parameters, mean and standard deviation were calculated manually.

RESULTS AND ANALYSIS

Morphology of Caudate Lobe

Figure I. Rectangular

Figure VIII. Branches from Left and Right PV

Figure IX. BR of Left H D

Chart I. Shape of Caudate Lobe

Caudate lobes of our study showed mainly rectangular shape (Fig. I) (61.11%), columnar (Fig. IV) or elongated caudate lobes and triangular caudate lobes (Fig. III) in equal proportion (16.67%) and dumbbell-shaped lobes (Fig. II) were 5.55% (Table I and Chart I).

Papillary processes, caudate processes and notches were seen in most of the livers (77.78%). They were absent in rest of the livers studied (22.22%).

Table II shows various measurements of the livers among the study group. A mean length of 5.4 cm and breadth of 2.58 cm were noted for the caudate lobes and mean length of 11.31 cm and breadth of 7.39 cm for right lobes respectively.

Ratio of caudate lobe to right lobe area ranged from 0.06 to 0.41 with a mean of 0.17. Cirrhotic livers may show ratio over 0.65.

Table III shows livers with their branches of blood vessels and ducts to segment I.

Portal vein was seen to supply majority of caudate lobes through a single branch, usually from the left branch in 55.55% livers. 13.89% of caudate lobes had branches from left branch and also from junction of left and right branches. Another 13.89% livers had branches from both right and left branches supplying their caudate lobes. 6 of the caudate lobes were supplied by a single branch from the junction alone (16.67%). None of the caudate lobes in the study was supplied by the right branch of portal vein alone (chart II). One liver had 2 branches from left branch of portal vein itself.

Majority of caudate lobes had a single branch of hepatic artery from left branch supplying them (80.56%) and only 3 livers (8.33%) had supply from right branch alone. Another 8.33% had 2 branches to their caudate lobes (chart III).

Biliary drainage was mostly noted to be through a single duct from left side in our study (86.11%) as shown in chart IV.

Chart II. Portal Vein Branching Pattern to Caudate Lobe

Chart III. Hepatic Artery Branching  Pattern to Caudate Lobe

Chart IV. Bile Duct Draining Caudate Lobe

DISCUSSION

The liver is anatomically divided into left, right, caudate and quadrate lobes based on its peritoneal attachments.¹ The caudate lobe is a distinct lobe, located on the posterior surface of liver between the groove for inferior vena cava to the right, fissure for ligamentum venosum to the left, and porta hepatis anteriorly.²

Gross abnormalities of the liver are rare in spite of its complex development. More common abnormalities are the abnormalities in form and less common ones are the presence of accessory lobes or livers.³ Acquired changes in liver morphology are represented by the following characteristic features,⁽¹⁾ linguiform lobes,⁽²⁾ costal organ with very small left lobe,⁽³⁾ deep renal impressions and “corset” type constrictions and local inflammation of the organ or gall bladder.⁴ Accessory lobes arise most commonly from right lobe and may project in any direction. Among them, Riedel’s lobe is the most common which descends inferiorly along the right lateral margin.⁵ Most of the accessory lobes and hypertrophic caudate lobe extensions and accessory fissures may disappear during postnatal changes in the liver.

Accessory hepatic fissures are potential sources of diagnostic errors on both sonography and CT. Radiological and corrosion cast studies have attributed the formation of sulci to existence of weak zone of hepatic parenchyma, represented by portal fissures between adjacent sagittal portal territories. These weak zones offer a lower resistance to external pressure of diaphragm.⁶

According to Mamatha et al, notching along inferior border of caudate lobe was seen in 18% of livers studied and vertical fissures in 30%, prominent papillary process in 32%. Accessory fissures and grooves were more seen in right lobe. 60% of their study showed normal appearance. One caudate lobe in our study showed an accessory fissure (Fig.VI) extending from the superior surface downwards, and Papillary and caudate processes along with notches between them were seen in 77.78% of livers. An accessory lobe (Fig.V) was also noted. Chavan⁷ et al observed absence of papillary process in all their study group, whereas Sahni⁸ et al reported papillary process in 33%. Kogure et al⁹ noticed notches in 50% of caudate lobes in patients undergoing hepatectomy. Singh¹⁰ et al observed a notch on the superior border of caudate lobe. Normal anatomy of caudate lobe can create several pitfalls that may lead mistakenly to a diagnosis of disease. Auh et al¹¹ found that on CT, a normal or small papillary process may be mistaken for enlarged porta hepatis lymph nodes. Enlarged papillary process can displace gastric antrum and duodenum anteriorly mimicking right-sided retroperitoneal mass. However, Atkan et al noticed absence of caudate lobe in 7.14% of their study¹² which was in accordance to Mamatha et al.

Caudate lobe enlargement accompanies occlusion of hepatic veins. Venous drainage of caudate lobe is by emissary veins which pass directly from caudate lobe to inferior vena cava.¹³

Shape of caudate lobe was seen to be triangular, square, inverted flask shaped, oval and pear shaped by Chavan et al. One case of dumbbell-shaped caudate lobe was seen by Mamatha et al, as in Nayak’s¹⁴ study. Joshi et al¹⁵ reported 58% rectangular, 20% bicornuate, and pear shaped, quadrate, oblong, heart shaped, square, and inverted pear-shaped Caudate lobes in 22% of their study, whereas we found four different shapes of caudate lobes; which were rectangular (61.11%), columnar/elongated (16.67%), triangular (16.67%) and dumbbell shaped (5.55%). Accessory caudate lobe or caudate lobe duplication may be present.

Vakili et al¹⁶ noticed that caudate process duct drains into right hepatic duct (85%) and left part of caudate lobe into left hepatic duct (93%). Our study revealed that biliary drainage of caudate lobe was by branch of left hepatic duct alone (Fig. IX) in 86.11% and by right alone in only 5.55%. A branch from junction of left and right hepatic ducts drained 5.55% caudate lobes and two branches, one from left and another from junction of left, and right hepatic ducts drained another 5.55% caudate lobes. Blumgart et al¹⁷ states that biliary drainage of caudate lobe is only into LHD in 15% of his study and only into RHD in 5% cases.

Proper oxygenation & functioning of liver cells is dependent on portal venous flow. Number of branches of ducts also varies.

Caudate lobe is part of right lobe but functionally part of left lobe as it receives blood supply from left branch of hepatic artery and portal vein and delivers bile to left hepatic duct.¹⁸ Caudate Lobe undergoes compensatory hypertrophy while rest of the liver shrinks as reported by many studies.^{19, 20, 21} The caudate and papillary processes share blood supply and drainage hypothesised to underlie compensatory hypertrophy of caudate lobe in cirrhosis.^22.

According to Kogure et al, the caudate branches ramified from left portal vein in 48.6% and from right portal vein in 22.9% and from bifurcation in 17% and from main portal trunk in 11.5% of livers studied. According to them, most common origin of portal branch to caudate lobe was from left portal vein as was noted in our study (Fig. VII) (55.55%). None of the caudate lobes studied by us showed caudate branches from right branch of portal vein alone. 13.89% caudate lobes had branches from right side or from junction of left and right branch in addition to a branch from left branch of portal vein (Fig. VIII).

Proper hepatic artery passes anterior to portal vein as it ascends to the epiploic foramen and at porta hepatis branches to right and left. Right hepatic artery usually crosses posterior to common hepatic duct. Its anterior division supplies segment I.80.56% caudate lobes had branches from left hepatic artery alone supplying them and only 8.33% were supplied by branch from right hepatic artery alone.Pons hepaticus is bridging of inferior vena cava. It is said to be complete when it covers posterior aspect of retrohepatic segment of inferior vena cava.²³ No pons hepaticus was encountered in our study.

Caudate lobe length varied from 3.2 to 8 cm with mean of 5.5 cm and SD of 6.7. Transverse diameter of caudate lobe had a mean breadth of 2.58 cm with SD of 0.71 which is similar to study of Arora et al.²⁴

Range of right lobe length was 8-16 cm with mean of 11.31 and SD 1.96 and mean breadth of right lobe was 7.39 cm.

The range of surface area of caudate lobe ranged from 5.25 to 32 sq. cm with a mean of 13.61 sq. cm and of right lobe varied from 39.36 to 144 sq. cm with a mean of 84.60 sq. cm. The ratio of the two ranged between 0.061 to 0.410 with a mean of 0.17 and S D of 0.078 in our study, whereas the range is 0.07-0.29 and mean of 0.16 and Caudate lobe to right lobe ratio more than 0.65 is seen in conditions like cirrhosis as reported by Arora et al.

CONCLUSION

Shape of caudate lobe is variable as is the presence of papillary processes, caudate processes and notches. Even though caudate lobe is part of right lobe anatomically, it is functionally a part of left lobe as it receives blood supply from left branches of portal vein and hepatic artery and is drained by left hepatic ducts, and is confirmed by our study.