64-slice spiral CT cavernous transformation of portal vein

Objective To investigate the role of 64-slice CT in imaging of the cavernous transformation of portal vein.Methods The site and the extent of collateral circulation in 12 cases of hospital cavernous transformation of portal vein(CTPV)were analyzed.Results Five cases of 12 children suffered from esophageal varices and treated with the lower esophageal and gastric devascularization and splenectomy.Another 4 patients only underwent splenectomy.Three patients with intrahepatic portal vein underwent living-related liver transplantation.There were 8 cases of spontaneous spleen/stomflch-renal shunt,4 cases of Retzius vein dilatation,which were left intact during surgery.One patient died from portal vein thrombosis after liver transplantation,and the rest of patients had no significant complications.Conclusions Cavernous transformation of portal vein can be clearly visualized by 64-slice spiral CT angiography.This may help pre-operative surgical planning. Key words: Cavernous transformation of portal vein; Tomography,spiral computed; Hypertension,portal