Diagnosis of Budd-Chiari syndrome in MRI and comparison with venography

Objective:To evaluate the value of MRI in diagnosing Budd Chiari syndrome(BCS) and its clinical application.Methods:SE sequence transversal T 1WI,TSE sequence transversal and sagittal T 2WI were performed on all of the 12 patients,and 2D TOF MRA were performed on 8 of them.All patients were examined also with inferior venocavography and jugular venography simultaneously.Results:The BCS were divided into three types on MRI.TypeⅠ:occlusion of inferior vena cava in 4 cases.One is membranous and the other three are segmental.TypeⅡ:obstruction of hepatic veins in 2 cases.TypeⅢ:blockade of both hepatic veins and inferior vena cava in 6 cases.The appearances of BCS on venography were segmental occlusion of inferior vena cava in 7 cases,stenosis in 2 cases,membranous occlusion in 2 cases,membranous stenosis in 1 case,only 4 patients' inferior right hepatic vein and 1 patient's right hepatic vein were demonstrated at the same time.Conclusion:MRI has significant advantages than angiography in determining the type of BCS,the position and quality of the occlusion.It should be taken as the routine examination before interventional therapy.