Three-dimensional multi-detector row CT portal venography in the evaluation of portosystemic collateral vessels in liver cirrhosis.
Multi-detector row computed tomography (CT) offers distinct advantages over traditional spiral CT. Multi-detector row CT scanners are faster and allow thinner collimation than single-detector row spiral CT scanners. The use of multi-detector row CT combined with postprocessing of the imaging data with a variety of three-dimensional reformatting techniques (eg, maximum intensity projection, shaded surface display, volume rendering) allows creation of vascular maps whose quality equals or exceeds that of maps created at classic angiography for many applications. Three-dimensional multi-detector row CT portal venography can help determine the extent and location of portosystemic collateral vessels (eg, left gastric vein, short gastric vein, esophageal and paraesophageal varices, splenorenal and gastrorenal shunts, paraumbilical and abdominal wall veins) in patients with liver cirrhosis and is probably the optimal imaging technique in this setting.
Kang
Heoung Keun
HK
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Chonnam National University Medical School, 8 Hack-Dong, Dong-Ku, Gwang-Ju 501-757, Korea.
Jeong
Yong Yeon
YY
Choi
Jun Ho
JH
Choi
Song
S
Chung
Tae Woong
TW
Seo
Jeong Jin
JJ
Kim
Jae Kyu
JK
Yoon
Woong
W
Park
Jin Gyoon
JG
D003097:Collateral Circulation; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011172:Portography; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*