MR venography of the inferior mesentery vein.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate on three-dimensional (3D) dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MR venography (MRV), the visibility of the inferior mesenteric vein (IMV), its insertion pattern into the portal system, and the difference of IMV diameters between healthy subjects and patients with cirrhosis.


METHODS
Two hundred and seventeen consecutive patients who had abdominal 3D DCE MRI was included in this study. The original image data of 3D DCE MRI was used to generate multiple planar volume reconstruction (MPVR) images, which were evaluated for visualization of the IMV and its pattern of insertion into the portal system. The diameter of IMV was measured and compared in 24 patients with cirrhosis (Cirrhosis Group) and in 30 patients without hepatic lesions or liver disease (Healthy Group).


RESULTS
In the 217 patients, the frequencies of visualization of IMV, grade 1 order branches and grade 2 order branches were, respectively, 88%, 24% and 9%. The IMV inserted into the splenic vein (SV), the portal confluence and the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) in 45%, 18% and 37%, respectively. Among patients with cirrhosis, 12.5% had IMV diameter larger than 5.1mm, although there was no significant difference between cirrhosis and healthy groups (P>0.05). However, the diameters of the main portal vein (MPV), SV and SMV were significantly larger in the Cirrhosis Group (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The IMV and its branches can be depicted well by 3D DCE MRV. The most common insertion of the IMV is into the splenic vein. A minority of patients with cirrhosis had dilatation of the IMV.
Zhang
Xiao Ming
XM
Department of Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Wenhua Road 63, Nanchong, Sichuan 637000, PR China. zhangxm@nsmc.edu.cn
Zhong
Tang Li
TL
Zhai
Zhao Hua
ZH
Zeng
Nan Lin
NL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D017537:Mesenteric Artery, Inferior / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010690:Phlebography / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity