Background: Understanding the anatomical variations of the abdominal aorta and its branches is vital for clinicians. Such knowledge aids in averting complications and injuries during surgical procedures and radiological interventions. This study aims to assess these variations and compare the findings with existing literature.

Methods: The study was conducted in the Department of Radio diagnosis at VIMS & RC, Bangalore using a Siemens Somatom Definition AS 128 slice Multi-detector CT scanner with 5 mm collimation. All patients, regardless of age, undergoing CECT and CT angiography referred from all departments at VIMS & RC, Bangalore, were eligible for inclusion. However, patients with prior major abdominal surgeries or known cases of chronic renal disease were excluded. For the imaging procedure, triphasic CT scans were executed. The analysis incorporated axial cuts of 5 mm thickness and thin section reconstructions of 1 mm. Additionally, multiplanar reformats were utilized, and maximum intensity projections (MIP) were employed specifically for vessel analysis.

Results: Our study offered a vivid demographic distribution. Males dominated the sample size at 64.3%, while females were at 35.7%. When observed age-wise, the participants had an average age of 45.41 ± 15.67, the youngest being 10 years old and the eldest at 81 years. The age bracket of 51-60 years showed the most significant representation, whereas a meager 4.8% fell below 20 years. Shifting focus to the crux of the study - the radiological outcomes - a sizable 73.6% of participants showcased standard results. However, variations were not amiss. Bilateral Accessory Renal Arteries manifested in 8.7%, while both Accessory Right Renal Arteries and Trifurcation of Celiac Trunks each made their presence in 7.1%. Accessory Left Renal Arteries were seen in 3.2% of the participants. A rare sighting was that of the Right Hepatic Artery taking its origin from the superior mesenteric artery, seen in a scanty 0.3%. Encouragingly, no anomalies cropped up in the inferior mesenteric artery branching.

Conclusion: With the increasing use of Multidetector CT (MDCT) over DSA for vascular structure evaluation, the clarity and quality of imaging have improved substantially. Recognizing anomalies of the abdominal aorta preoperatively, especially in procedures like organ transplants and chemoembolization, is paramount to minimize post-operative complications.