Clinical application of spiral CT portography

Objective To evaluate the ability of spiral CT portography (CTP) to image the portal vein and its diagnostic value. Methods CTP was performed in 160 cases suspected of hepatic disease. 47 patients received surgical treatment and 12 with routine angiography. The demonstration of the location of hepatic lesions, the portal vein tumor thrombosis and the collateral circulation in portal hypertension, and the CTP findings in a variety of diseases were analyzed. Results The portal vein could be distinctly displayed by CTP. It could exactly locate the hepatic lesions (100%) and the accurate rate of finding the portal vein tumor thrombosis was 100% with CTP natural images and multi-projection volume reconstruction (MPVR), and it also could show the range of collateral circulation and estimate its degree. It could be used in a spectrum of abnormalities. Conclusion CTP is a noninvasive, reliable, and valuable method for the assessment of portal venous system.