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Transient increased segmental hepatic enhancement distal to portal vein obstruction on dynamic gadolinium‐enhanced gradient echo MR images
Author(s) -
Schlund James F.,
Semelka Richard C.,
Kettritz Ute,
Eisenberg Lara B.,
Lee Joseph K. T.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
journal of magnetic resonance imaging
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.563
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1522-2586
pISSN - 1053-1807
DOI - 10.1002/jmri.1880050402
Subject(s) - medicine , occlusion , radiology , portal vein , right gastric vein , nuclear medicine , portal venous pressure , portal hypertension , cirrhosis
The purpose of the present study was to demonstrate the frequency of occurrence of transient increased segmental hepatic enhancement distal to portal veto obstruction in patients with a lobar (main branch) portal vein obstruction. MR images of all patients with main and lobar branch portal vein obstruction examined by dynamic gadolinium enhanced gradient echo MR images between December 1990 and July 1994 were reviewed retrospectively. All studies included T2‐weighted imaging, Tl‐weighted spoiled gradient echo‘fast low angle shot ([FLASH])’ and postgadolinium enhanced PLASH imaging at 1, 45, and 90 sec and 10 min. Fourteen patients were identified with portal vein obstruction which Included: six with main portal and right and left branch occlusion, six with right lobar, and two with left lobar. In the six patients with main portal vein obstruction, enhancement on 1‐sec postgadolinium FLASH images was homogenous (three patients), diffusely heterogeneous (two patients), or peripherally hyperintense (one patient). In eight of eight patients with isolated obstruction of the right or left lobar portal vein, transient‐increased segmental enhancement distal to portal vein occlusion was observed on immediate postcontrast images. Relatively high signal intensity of the involved segments was present on 1‐sec images and liver parenchymal enhancement became more homogeneous by 45 to 90 sec in all cases. In conclusion, transient‐increased segmental enhancement occurred in eight of eight patients with isolated right or left portal vein occlusion. We postulate that this effect occurs due to increased hepatic arterial blood flow in the presence of portal vein obstruction.