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Findings: Selective injection of the superior mesenteric artery demonstrates a replaced common hepatic artery.

Diagnosis: Replaced common hepatic artery.

Discussion: The proper hepatic artery normally arises off the celiac axis. Once it gives off the gastroduodenal artery it is termed the common hepatic artery. Within the porta hepatis it then divides into the right and left branches.

Origin of the common hepatic artery off the superior mesenteric artery is a normal variant. In addition, only the right hepatic artery may originate off the SMA.

References:
Sabiston David C Jr. Textbook of Surgery. W. B. Saunders,
13th Edition, Philadelphia; 1055-1057.

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