Preliminary application of magnetic resonance angiography in surgical treatment of portal hypertension

Objective To compare results of portal venous anatomy and hemodynamics obtained by magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) with those got by Doppler ultrasonography (DUS) to evaluate role of MRA in portal hypertensive surgery. Methods Three dimensional dynamic contrast-enhanced (3D-DCE) MRA and two dimensional phase-contrast (2D-PC) MR were used for study of portal venous anatomy and portal blood flow (PBF) in the patients with portal hypertension and those without. In addition, the PBF measured with 2D-PC MR was compared with that measured with DUS. Results The portal vein, splenic vein, superior mesenteric vein, cephalic collateral veins and anastomic stoma of surgical shunting were clearly displayed by 3D-DCE MRA. There was no marked difference between PBE measured with 2D-PC MR and that measured with DUS. Conclusions MRA is a non-traumatic examination and can display well the anatomy of the portal system. So it is similar to the conventional X-ray angiography. PBF can be accurately measured with 2D-PC MR. MRA is a useful tool in the study of portal venous anatomy and portal blood flow in patients with portal hypertension. In addition, it is valuable for portal hypertensive surgery.