MR measurements of mesenteric venous flow: prospective evaluation in healthy volunteers and patients with suspected chronic mesenteric ischemia.
OBJECTIVE
To quantify portal vein (PV) and superior mesenteric vein (SMV) flow before and after a standardized meal in healthy volunteers and to prospectively evaluate patients with a clinical suspicion of chronic mesenteric ischemia on the basis of magnetic resonance (MR) measurement of flow in the mesenteric venous system in volunteers.


METHODS
Cine phase-contrast flow measurements were acquired in 10 asymptomatic volunteers and in 10 patients.


RESULTS
In volunteers, the difference between the fasting and post-prandial flows in the SMV and PV was significant (P < .001), with a peak flow augmentation of 245% +/- 74 and 70% +/- 29, respectively. Postprandial augmentation of peak flow in the SMV was significantly less in patients with mesenteric ischemia compared with volunteers (64% +/- 28; P = .02). SMV flow augmentation in patients without mesenteric ischemia did not differ significantly from that in volunteers (206% +/- 36; P = .31).


CONCLUSIONS
Measurement of postprandial flow augmentation in the SMV with MR imaging shows promise as a noninvasive screening test for chronic mesenteric ischemia.
Burkart
D J
DJ
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Rochester, MN 55905.
Johnson
C D
CD
Reading
C C
CC
Ehman
R L
RL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D005502:Food; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000098:blood supply*; D007511:Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008297:Male; D008641:Mesenteric Vascular Occlusion / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008642:Mesenteric Veins / Q000503:physiopathology; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000503:physiopathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013152:Splanchnic Circulation / Q000502:physiology*; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler