B-flow imaging of the hepatic vasculature: correlation with color Doppler sonography.
OBJECTIVE
B-flow imaging is a non-Doppler technology that provides real-time imaging of blood flow during gray-scale sonography. The utility of B-flow imaging is reflected in numerous publications that describe normal and pathologic findings in the carotid arteries and hemodialysis fistulas. However, there is a paucity of articles describing B-flow imaging of the abdominopelvic viscera. The purpose of this article is to illustrate a spectrum of findings encountered during noninvasive flow evaluation of the hepatic vasculature, correlating the Doppler sonography and B-flow imaging findings.


CONCLUSIONS
Color and spectral Doppler sonography are invaluable for noninvasive evaluation of the hepatic vasculature. However, a number of pitfalls and artifacts have been described that can cause important pathologic findings to be overlooked or can suggest incorrect diagnoses. In our experience, B-flow imaging often correctly displays normal and pathological vascular structures for which Doppler sonographic findings have been misleading or erroneous.
Wachsberg
Ronald H
RH
Department of Radiology, University Hospital, New Jersey Medical School, 150 Bergen St., C-320, Newark, NJ 07103, USA. wachsbrh@umdnj.edu
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006499:Hepatic Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006503:Hepatic Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color / Q000379:methods