Noninvasive assessment of portomesenteric venous thrombosis: current concepts and imaging strategies.
Rapid, noninvasive imaging strategies, especially multidetector spiral CT and CT angiography (CTA) as well as gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography (MRA), have facilitated early diagnosis of splanchnic venous thrombosis, a potentially lethal cause of intestinal ischemia. Single breath-hold volumetric acquisitions permit superior temporal and contrast resolution while eliminating motion artifact and suppressing respiratory misregistration. Increased spatial resolution is aided by thinner slice collimation. These cross-sectional imaging techniques are becoming a preferred noninvasive alternative to conventional selective mesenteric angiography with delayed imaging for venous evaluation and should be considered the primary diagnostic modalities for evaluating patients with high clinical suspicion of nonsurgical mesenteric ischemia.
Bradbury
Michelle S
MS
Department of Radiology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1088, USA.
Kavanagh
Peter V
PV
Chen
Michael Y
MY
Weber
Therese M
TM
Bechtold
Robert E
RE
D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007422:Intestines / Q000098:blood supply; D007511:Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008641:Mesenteric Vascular Occlusion / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008642:Mesenteric Veins / Q000473:pathology; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000473:pathology; D011172:Portography; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis*