Hepatic arterioportal shunts: dynamic CT and MR features.
With the increased temporal resolution available in dynamic computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), hepatic arterioportal shunts are now more frequently encountered than in the past. The condition occurs in various hepatic diseases in which portal or hepatic venous flow is compromised. The underlying mechanism and the degree of shunt affect its appearance at dynamic imaging. The dynamic CT and MRI findings have been summarized as early enhancement of peripheral portal veins, and wedge-shaped transient parenchymal enhancement during the hepatic arterial phase. Recognition of arterioportal shunt can suggest the presence of a previously unsuspected disorder and avoids false-positive diagnosis or overestimation of a hepatic disease. Familiarity with the pathophysiology of arterioportal shunt also allows investigation of the hepatic hemodynamic changes occurring in various hepatic diseases.
Choi
Byung Ihn
BI
Department of Radiology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 28 Yongon-dong, Chongno-gu, Seoul 110-744, Korea. choibi@radcom.snu.ac.kr
Lee
Kyoung Ho
KH
Han
Joon Koo
JK
Lee
Jeong Min
JM
D001164:Arteriovenous Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000150:complications; D016461:Chemoembolization, Therapeutic / Q000009:adverse effects; D006499:Hepatic Artery; D006801:Humans; D008102:Liver Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000150:complications; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011168:Portal System / Q000502:physiology; D011169:Portal Vein; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed