APPLICATION OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE ANGIOGRAPHY IN PORTAL HYPERTENSIVE SURGERY

Objective To compare magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) with traditional angiography and doppler ultrasonography (DUS) in the assessment of portal venous anatomy and its hemodynamics. Methods Three dimensional dynamic contrast-enhanced (3D-DCE) MRA and two dimensional phase-contrast (2D-PC) MR were used for the study of portal venous system in the patients with portal hypertension and those without liver cirrhosis. The comparison of the portal blood flow (PBF) measured with 2D-PC MR and DUS was made. Results The portal vein, splenic vein, superior mesenteric vein, cephalic collateral veins and anastomotic stoma of surgical shunting were clearly displayed in 3D-DCE MRA. There was no significant difference between PBF measured with 2D-PC MR and DUS. Conclusion The results of present study indicate that the anatomical imaging of the portal venous system can be clearly revealed in MRA and the PBF can be accurately measured with 2D-PC MR. It is believed that MRA is a useful tool in the management of the patients with portal hypertension.