The findings of the contrast-enhanced CT and risk factors for hepatic infarction after pancreatoduodenectomy

Purpose Hepatic infarction is a relatively rare life-threatening complication after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD). Computed tomography (CT) findings and risk factors for hepatic infarctions after PD were investigated. Methods One hundred-fifty three patients who underwent contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) after PD between January 2011 and August 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Hepatic infarction was defined as the non-contrast enhanced area expanding to the liver surface without mass effect on CECT. The relationships between infarctions and preoperative laboratory data or surgical procedures using uni- and multivariate analyses were examined. Results Twenty-nine patients showed 47 hepatic infarctions on CT. Infarctions most commonly appeared in segment 7 (S7) (17 lesions, 36.2%). Lesions were wedge-shaped in 12 patients and spread over multiple hepatic segments in 11 patients. Univariate analysis identified celiac artery (CA) or common hepatic artery (CHA) resection ( p = 0.0029) and portal vein (PV) resection ( p = 0.013) as risk factors for infarctions. CA or CHA resection ( p = 0.038) remained as a significant factor after multivariate logistic analysis. Conclusions Hepatic infarctions after PD were most frequently seen in S7 and PV penetrating sign was characteristic CT findings. CA or CHA resection or PV resection were revealed as risk factors for hepatic infarctions.