title: Evaluation of cavernous transformation of the portal vein by magnetic resonance imaging.
abstract: We describe two children who underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as part of the evaluation of isolated splenomegaly after Doppler ultrasound was unable to identify the portal vein. The diagnosis of cavernous transformation of the portal vein and the normalcy of the biliary tract and hepatic architecture were confirmed by MRI. Because of the risks associated with computed tomography (CT) and angiographic evaluation of such patients, the use of MRI, a noninvasive modality, in the evaluation of pediatric patients requires further consideration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Glassman
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Spivak
mesh_terms: D000792:Angiography / Q000592:standards; D002648:Child; D003097:Collateral Circulation; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D011169:Portal Vein; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013163:Splenomegaly; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000592:standards; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000592:standards