title: Imaging of acute conditions affecting the hepatic vasculature.
abstract: Liver imaging primarily consists of evaluating the parenchyma and biliary system. However, the liver has a rich, complex vascularity which can also be affected by numerous disease processes. By considering disease processes that primarily affect the hepatic veins, portal veins, and hepatic arteries, an anatomy-based approach of hepatic vascular diseases can be applied to image interpretation to allow rapid diagnosis and prompt initiation of treatment. Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and ultrasound are all effectively used to evaluate the liver and can play complimentary roles. In this article, the key imaging findings of acute conditions affecting the hepatic veins (passive congestion, acute thrombosis/Budd-Chiari, stenosis), portal veins (thrombosis, phlebitis, stenosis), hepatic arteries (laceration, pseudoaneurysm, thrombosis), and arteriovenous structures (hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasis, arteriovenous fistula) will be reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 200 Lothrop St, Suite 3950 PUH S. Tower, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. hellermt@upmc.edu
authors.forename: Matthew T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Heller
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hattoum
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000098:blood supply*; D008102:Liver Circulation; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*