Visualisation of the portal flows by porto-scanner.
This study presents a retrospective analysis of 15 portal vein CT scans, conducted for the evaluation of hepatic metastasis in patients suffering from colorectal cancer, with the aim of verifying in vivo the presence of laminar flow as reported by Pironcof. After selective catheterization of the superior mesenteric artery, CT scans were performed during opacification of the portal vein. Different flows were identified by the incomplete opacification they induced in the portal vein. Splenic flows could always be identified, however right colic and superior mesenteric flows were only seen in 3 cases (20%) and gastrocolic flow in 2 (13.6%). Even though incremental (i.e. slower than helical) the CT acquisitions allowed the flows to be viewed by modifying the visualisation window. In vivo evidence of laminar flow is provided which supports Pironcof's experimental observations.
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, 28, Place Henri Dunant, B.P. 38, F-63001 Clermont-Ferrand cedex, France.
J M
JM
Garcier
J
J
Bousquet
M
M
Alexandre
M
M
Filaire
J F
JF
Viallet
G
G
Vanneuville
L
L
Boyer
D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011168:Portal System / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D003287:Contrast Media