Abstract
The inferior phrenic arteries constitute a pair of important vessels, supplying multiple organs including the diaphragm, adrenal glands, esophagus, stomach, liver, inferior vena cava, and retroperitoneum. The vast majority (80–90%) of inferior phrenic arteries originate as separate vessels with near equal frequency from either the abdominal aorta or the celiac trunk. Infrequently, the right and left inferior phrenic arteries can arise in the form of a common trunk from the aorta or from the celiac trunk. We herein present three patients with a new anatomic vascular variant: a common trunk of the inferior phrenic arteries arising from the right renal artery. In one case, the left inferior phrenic branch of the common trunk provided collaterals connecting with a supra-diaphragmatic branch of the left internal mammary artery and in another with the lateral wall of the pericardium. Angiographic identification of a common trunk for the inferior phrenic arteries arising from the right renal artery is important for proper diagnosis and clinical management. The presence of this unique vascular variant can impact revascularization of the renal arteries.
1
Introduction
The inferior phrenic arteries constitute a pair of important vessels, supplying multiple organs including the diaphragm, adrenal glands, esophagus, stomach, liver, inferior vena cava, and retroperitoneum . The vast majority (80–90%) of inferior phrenic arteries originate as separate vessels with near equal frequency from either the abdominal aorta or the celiac trunk . Infrequently, the right and left inferior phrenic arteries can arise in the form of a common trunk from the aorta or from the celiac trunk . Angiographic identification of these vessels and their variants is important for proper diagnosis and clinical management.
We herein present three patients in whom selective renal arteriography identified a new anatomic vascular variant: a common trunk of the inferior phrenic arteries arising from the right renal artery. In one case, the left inferior phrenic branch of the common trunk provided collaterals connecting with a supradiaphragmatic branch of the left internal mammary artery and in another with the lateral wall of the pericardium.
2
Case 1
A 60-year-old Caucasian male with coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus Type 2, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia underwent a three-vessel coronary bypass surgery in 2004. A year later, he developed angina pectoris and underwent a percutaneous coronary intervention with placement of three stents in the proximal and middle segments of the circumflex artery. In 2008, recurring angina led to angiography which demonstrated total occlusion of the stents; however, attempted targeted percutaneous coronary intervention failed. In 2009, he presented again with unstable angina pectoris. Cardiac catheterization demonstrated a patent left main coronary artery and 100% occlusion of the proximal left anterior descending artery and the proximal left circumflex artery. The right coronary artery was a dominant, patent vessel supplying a posterior descending artery. The left internal mammary artery graft to the left anterior descending artery was patent with adequate distal flow into the native vessel. Saphenous vein grafts to an obtuse marginal branch of the circumflex artery and the posterior descending artery were completely occluded at their aortic origin. Selective renal angiography demonstrated normally arising and patent bilateral renal arteries. A large common trunk of the phrenic arteries measuring 4 mm in diameter ( Fig. 1 A ) originated from the proximal portion of the right renal artery (diameter 5.5 mm). The common trunk ascended vertically for 26-mm branching into left and right phrenic arteries ( Fig. 1 B). The proximal segment of the left inferior phrenic artery measured 3.5 mm in diameter and its distal segment measured 2.5 mm. This segment supplied collateral branch (1.7-mm diameter) that crossed the diaphragm connecting with a left superior phrenic artery branch of the left internal mammary artery ( Fig. 1 C). The proximal segment of the right inferior phrenic artery measured 2.8 mm and its distal segment 1.7 mm, terminating normally below the right diaphragm.
2
Case 1
A 60-year-old Caucasian male with coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus Type 2, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia underwent a three-vessel coronary bypass surgery in 2004. A year later, he developed angina pectoris and underwent a percutaneous coronary intervention with placement of three stents in the proximal and middle segments of the circumflex artery. In 2008, recurring angina led to angiography which demonstrated total occlusion of the stents; however, attempted targeted percutaneous coronary intervention failed. In 2009, he presented again with unstable angina pectoris. Cardiac catheterization demonstrated a patent left main coronary artery and 100% occlusion of the proximal left anterior descending artery and the proximal left circumflex artery. The right coronary artery was a dominant, patent vessel supplying a posterior descending artery. The left internal mammary artery graft to the left anterior descending artery was patent with adequate distal flow into the native vessel. Saphenous vein grafts to an obtuse marginal branch of the circumflex artery and the posterior descending artery were completely occluded at their aortic origin. Selective renal angiography demonstrated normally arising and patent bilateral renal arteries. A large common trunk of the phrenic arteries measuring 4 mm in diameter ( Fig. 1 A ) originated from the proximal portion of the right renal artery (diameter 5.5 mm). The common trunk ascended vertically for 26-mm branching into left and right phrenic arteries ( Fig. 1 B). The proximal segment of the left inferior phrenic artery measured 3.5 mm in diameter and its distal segment measured 2.5 mm. This segment supplied collateral branch (1.7-mm diameter) that crossed the diaphragm connecting with a left superior phrenic artery branch of the left internal mammary artery ( Fig. 1 C). The proximal segment of the right inferior phrenic artery measured 2.8 mm and its distal segment 1.7 mm, terminating normally below the right diaphragm.
3
Case 2
An 87-year-old Caucasian male presented with angina pectoris. He had a history of hypertension and tobacco abuse. Myocardial perfusion stress test demonstrated inferior and anterior ischemic perfusion defects. Coronary arteriography revealed a patent left main coronary artery. The proximal segment of the left anterior descending artery contained a 99% thrombotic lesion and the circumflex artery was patent. The middle portion of the right coronary artery exhibited a 95% eccentric atherosclerotic lesion. The patient underwent a successful two-vessel percutaneous coronary intervention. Selective renal arteriography demonstrated a 20% ostial stenosis of the left renal artery without an aortic-renal pressure gradient. A patent right renal artery (diameter of 6.5 mm) gave rise to a common trunk of the inferior phrenic artery 51 mm in length and 2.5 mm in diameter ( Fig. 2 A ). The vessel then ascended and branched into right and left inferior phrenic arteries. The proximal segment of these vessels measured 1.5 and 1.9 mm, respectively. A hepatic branch arose from the proximal segment of the left inferior phrenic artery ( Fig. 2 B). The diameter of the distal segments of the right inferior phrenic artery and left inferior phrenic artery reached their corresponding sub-diaphragmatic locations measuring 1.2 and 1.6 mm, respectively.
