Imaging features of portal biliopathy: frequency of involvement patterns with emphasis on MRCP.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the imaging features of portal biliopathy with emphasis on MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). The ancillary vascular findings of portal biliopathy were also evaluated by accompanying MR portography, dynamic contrast-enhanced (CE) CT, and dynamic CE MRI studies.


METHODS
Sixteen patients with portal cavernoma were included in the study. Patients had undergone MRCP (n=16) studies accompanied by MR portography (n=13), dynamic CE CT (n=3) or dynamic CE MRI (n=2) of the liver. Two patients had undergone both dynamic CE CT and dynamic CE MRI. Two radiologists evaluated all the examinations together, retrospectively. MRCP images were analyzed for the presence of biliary stenosis, upstream (prestenotic) dilatation, wavy appearance of the bile ducts, angulation of the common bile duct (CBD), and choledocholithiasis. MR portography, dynamic CE CT and dynamic CE MRI studies were evaluated for the existence of portal cavernomas, and the presence of gall bladder/choledochal varices.


RESULTS
All patients had signs of portal biliopathy on MRCP. Frequencies of the biliary findings on MRCP were as follows: biliary stenosis, 93.7%; upstream dilatation, 68.7%; wavy appearance of the biliary tree, 87.5%; angulation of the CBD, 75%. None of the patients had choledocholithiasis. Frequencies of the ancillary vascular findings detected on CE studies were as follows: gall bladder varices, 100%, choledochal varices, 93.7%.


CONCLUSIONS
MRCP features of portal biliopathy in order to their frequencies were as follows: biliary stenosis, wavy appearance of the bile ducts, angulation of the CBD, and upstream dilatation of the bile ducts.
Ozkavukcu
Esra
E
Ankara University School of Medicine, Department of Radiology, Ankara 06100, Turkey. eozkavukcu@gmail.com
Erden
Ayşe
A
Erden
Ilhan
I
D000328:Adult; D001649:Bile Duct Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D017734:Bile Ducts, Extrahepatic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D049448:Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011172:Portography / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*