title: Cavernous transformation of the portal vein: three-dimensional dynamic contrast-enhanced MR angiography.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To investigate characteristic features of three-dimensional dynamic contrast-enhanced MR angiography (3D DCE-MRA) and validate its clinical significance for the diagnosis of cavernous transformation of the portal vein (CTPV).
  
  
  METHODS
  3D DCE-MRA, along with subsequent data processing using three-dimensional reconstruction, was performed in 33 CTPV patients. We observed 33 emboli in the portal vein, 29 in the left and/or right portal branches, 18 in the superior mesenteric vein, and nine emboli in the splenic vein.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The main presentation of CTPV on 3D DCE-MRA was the replacement of the normal configuration of the portal vein by numerous distorted hepatopetal collateral vessels, the presence of arterio-portal venous shunts, and the appearance of hepatofugal collateral vessels in the abdominal cavity and wall.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  3D DCE-MRA can be used to simultaneously characterize the portal system and collateral vessels, and can improve the diagnosis and clinical treatment of CTPV.
authors: Department of Radiology, Changhai Hospital, Shanghai, 200433, China.
authors: Li
authors: L
authors: Wang
authors: Zhao-shen
authors: ZS
authors: Li
authors: Jian-ping
authors: JP
authors: Lu
authors: Fei
authors: F
authors: Wang
authors: Qi
authors: Q
authors: Liu
authors: Jian-ming
authors: JM
authors: Tian
mesh_terms: D003097:Collateral Circulation; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008297:Male; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000473:pathology*; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000150:complications*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA