腹腔神经节的多层螺旋CT表现

目的探讨腹腔神经节多层螺旋CT(MDCT)的表现。资料与方法回顾分析133例上腹部CT平扫和增强扫描无异常患者的CT资料,记录和测量腹腔神经节的位置、形态及大小。结果左侧腹腔神经节124例显示,9例显示不清;右侧115例显示,18例显示不清,两侧显示率的差异无统计学意义(左侧,93.2%;右侧,86.5%;χ2=3.339,P=0.068)。双侧腹腔神经节位于腹腔干及肠系膜上动脉水平,左侧者位于左侧肾上腺与左侧膈肌脚之间,右侧者位于下腔静脉后方、右侧肾上腺内侧,主要为长条状(74.5%,178/239)、分叶状(25.5%,61/239)。腹腔神经节的左、右侧长径分别为(26.1±12.3)mm、(29.5±9.2)mm,短径分别为(4.1±1.0)mm、(3.1±0.9)mm,左侧腹腔神经节长径小于右侧(t=-4.208,P<0.001),左侧短径大于右侧(t=13.635,P<0.001)。结论 MDCT能显示腹腔神经节的位置、大小及形态特征,左侧腹腔神经节的显示率略高于对侧,但差别无统计学意义。     

16层-螺旋CT三维重建对活体供肾的评估价值

目的 探讨16层螺旋CT三维重建在活体供肾血管解剖、肾功能评估中的应用价值.方法 使用飞利浦Brilliance 16层螺旋CT扫描机对37例活体供肾者术前行螺旋CT扫描,采用容积再现技术(VR)、最大密度投影(MIP)、多平面重建(MPR)、曲而重建((2PR)重建方法进行肾血管及肾实质的三维重建技术,使用层块体积测量方法测量肾脏体积并与肾小球滤过率(GFR)进行比较,测量肾动脉直径并与GFR进行比较.结果 螺旋CT三维重建血管造影显示肾脏血管的准确性为89.2%,在各种三维重建方法中,VR在显示肾脏血管全貌、不同角度观察血管方面比较清晰,MPR显示肾脏实质较好.MIP结合轴位图像在判断血管分支,确定血管数量和显示血管有无异常方面比较准确,肾脏体积与GFR呈正相关,肾动脉直径与GFR无明显相关性.结论 螺旋CT三维重建技术在显示血管、肾实质及肾脏功能的评估中有明显作用.     

Multi-Detector CT Findings of Celiac Ganglia

目的 探讨腹腔神经节多层螺旋CT(MDCT)的表现.资料与方法 回顾分析133例上腹部CT平扫和增强扫描无异常患者的CT资料,记录和测量腹腔神经节的位置、形态及大小.结果 左侧腹腔神经节124例显示,9例显示不清;右侧115例显示,18例显示不清,两侧显示率的差异无统计学意义(左侧,93.2％;右侧,86.5％;x2＝3.339,P＝0.068).双侧腹腔神经节位于腹腔干及肠系膜上动脉水平,左侧者位于左侧肾上腺与左侧膈肌脚之间,右侧者位于下腔静脉后方、右侧肾上腺内侧,主要为长条状(74.5％,178/239)、分叶状(25.5％,61/239).腹腔神经节的左、右侧长径分别为(26.1±12.3) mm、(29.5±9.2) mm,短径分别为(4.1±1.0) mm、(3.1±0.9)mm,左侧腹腔神经节长径小于右侧(t＝-4.208,P＜0.001),左侧短径大于右侧(t＝13.635,P＜0.001).结论 MDCT能显示腹腔神经节的位置、大小及形态特征,左侧腹腔神经节的显示率略高于对侧,但差别无统计学意义.     

活体肾动脉解剖的多层螺旋CT研究

目的 研究肾动脉的活体解剖及其变异规律.方法 随机选择202例因腹部病变而行64层螺旋CT增强扫描的患者作回顾性肾动脉系相关参数的分析研究.在Siemens Sensation Cardic 64 CT工作站采用层厚1.0 mm、重建间隔0.7 mm动脉期图像做3D (VR,MIP)图像后处理.结果 肾动脉变异率为67.3%(136/202),包括肾动脉型肾副动脉(ⅡB)占43.4%(59/136),AA型肾动脉(ⅠA)占40.4%(55/136),AA型肾副动脉(ⅡA)占34.6%(47/136),肾门前动脉(ⅠB)占26.5%(36/136),其他型肾动脉(ⅠC)发生率仅为0.7%(1/136).肾动脉变异率在双肾及男女之间无显著性差异.右侧肾动脉高于左侧者占71.8%,左侧高于右侧占24.3%,双侧等高54.0%,且无明显的性别差异.正常成年男性右 侧肾动脉管径为(0.69±0.14) cm,左侧为(0.74±0.16) cm,正常成年女性右侧肾动脉管径为(0.65±0.16) cm,左侧为(0.64±0.13) cm,男性两侧肾动脉管径有统计学差异,女性两侧肾动脉管径无统计学差异.肾动脉管径与相应肾体积相关系数r均＜0.4,呈低度线性相关.结论 肾动脉多层螺旋CT血管成像(MSCTA)已成为肾动脉检查的首选方法.     

64层螺旋CTA对肾动脉变异及左肾静脉解剖的研究

目的 评价64层螺旋CT血管成像(CTA)对观察肾动脉变异及左肾静脉(LRV)解剖的价值. 资料与方法 回顾性分析105名正常人的64层螺旋CT肾血管影像资料,观察肾动脉变异及LRV解剖,测量肠系膜上动脉(SMA)与腹主动脉(AA)之间的夹角(α)、SMA与AA夹角间隙内LRV中心水平SMA的后缘与AA前缘之间的距离(D1)、SMA与AA夹角间隙内十二指肠中心水平SMA的后缘与AA前缘之间的距离(D2)、SMA与AA夹角间隙内LRV中心与SMA起始根部中心的距离(D3)、SMA与AA夹角间隙内十二指肠中心与SMA起始根部中心的距离(D4),同时测量LRV通过α角时的内径(a),近左肾侧最大内径(b),计算b/a值,并进行统计学分析. 结果 105名正常人共210只肾脏,肾动脉变异分别占病例数和肾脏数的32.4%(34/105)和17.6%(37/210),其中Ⅰ类(肾门前肾动脉分支)13只肾脏,Ⅱ类(肾副动脉)24只肾脏.α、D1、D2、D3、D4、a、b、b/a的均值分别为(51.2±18.5) °、(13.4±6.0) mm、(17.0±7.2) mm、(20.3±5.0) mm、(56.9±12.5) mm、(5.8±2.0) mm、(10.5±2.3) mm、(2.0±0.9),α角与D1、D2、a 存在正相关,α角与D3、D4、b/a之间存在负相关,α角与b不存在相关性. 结论 64层螺旋CTA可清晰显示肾动脉变异、LRV和十二指肠的解剖关系,并准确测量SMA与AA之间的夹角,对指导肾脏手术及诊断胡桃夹综合征(nutcracker syndrome,NCS)和十二指肠淤积症有重要的临床价值.     

尸体标本腹腔神经节的CT解剖

目的分析尸体标本腹腔神经节的解剖及其CT断面图像,为在活体CT上识别腹腔神经节提供参考。方法50具成人尸体标本,剖腹并掀开胃和肝脏等结构,显示并观测腹腔神经节的位置、形态、大小及毗邻关系。其中6具标本胰腺周围无病变、解剖结构清晰的腹腔神经节用647%碘海醇注射液标记,将掀开的结构复位,再进行CT横断面扫描。分析CT图像上神经节的显示,与大体解剖观察结果对照。结果50具标本中,47具标本(94%)的腹腔神经节位于T12~L1椎体平面,3具(6%)位于T11~12椎体平面;腹腔神经节大体形态可分为长条型、结节型、薄片型、半月型;腹腔神经节的大小左侧上下径为(2274±570)mm,左右径(长径)为(1507±435)mm,厚度(短径)为(200±071)mm,右侧上下径为(2501±609)mm,长径为(1318±362)mm,短径为(140±055)mm。在CT图像上,6具标本腹腔神经节均显示,左侧显示更佳;腹腔神经节大小右侧长径为(1520±164)mm,短径为(153±052)mm,左侧长径为(1625±173)mm,短径为(220±073)mm。CT所测值与相应解剖值比较,P>005,二者差异无统计学意义。结论CT断面图像,能够显示尸体标本腹腔神经节的部位、大小和形态,其结果与解剖所测一致。尸体标本CT图像腹腔神经节的显示可作为活体CT观察腹腔神经节的参考。     

正常活体肾脏多层螺旋CT成像研究

目的通过对正常活体肾脏在多层螺旋CT(MSCT)图像上一些指标的观测分析,提供相应的正常值范围为临床和教学服务。方法收集腹部多层螺旋CT扫描正常肾脏123例,并行三维成像,观察左、右侧肾脏上、下极平椎体的位置,并同时比较同一个体左、右侧肾脏的高低。测量左、右侧肾脏上、下端距脊柱中线的距离及长轴与短轴的长度;测量左、右侧肾脏长轴与矢状面(侧夹LS)及冠状面(前夹LC)的夹角;测量肾门中点至对应的肾脏外缘最突点的连线与冠状面的夹角(前倾CL),并进行统计学处理。结果左肾高于右肾的百分率明显大于右肾高于左肾的百分率。左、右肾上极大部分都平T12,左肾上极高于T11的例数较右肾多,双侧肾脏下极大部分都平L2下份至L3下份。左、右侧肾脏各CT测量指标的统计结果除男前倾、男前夹、女前夹、总前夹、总侧夹外,大部分左侧肾脏测量指标大于或接近于右侧,并且有男宽、总长、总宽、总上距具有显著统计学意义(P<0.05)。男性大部分测量指标都大于女性,并且男、女的侧夹角及上、下距具有显著统计学意义。结论本研究获得了正常活体肾脏的位置、大小、形态的数据,可供临床诊断、治疗以及教学时参考。     

高海拔地区正常成人肾脏X线测量分析

目的：在国内对高海拔地区正常成人肾脏的大小未曾有过报道，本文通过对144例高海拔地区正常成人肾脏大小的X线测量，与国内已报道的相关测量数据比较，以确定有无差异性。方法：对经“B超”、“排泄性肾益造影”检查诊断双肾形态、功能均正常的144例做为测量对象，取双肾轮廓显示清楚的片子进行测量。采用王溱的测量方法对肾脏的长径、宽径、活动度进行测量。利用Simmon．AL的方法对99例进行绝对标准值的测量。结果：右肾长径为12．4±0．95、宽径为6．5±0．78、活动度为2．9±1．8。左肾长径为12．5±1．08、宽径为6．4±0．89、活动度为2．61±1．7。绝对标准值的测量结果为：即肾长／腰2椎体高度，右侧387±0.39，左侧为3．99±0．47。肾长／腰。椎体高度十腰2~3椎间盘高度，右侧3．01±0．23，左侧为3．10±0．32。结论：本文测得的数据同已报道的国内外数据比较，无明显差异。     

64层螺旋CT血管成像在肾动脉病变中的临床应用

 目的 探讨64层螺旋CT在肾动脉成像中的临床应用价值.方法 应用SureStart 造影剂追踪技术进行肾动脉成像检查,将76例肾动脉病变患者的原始数据传至后处理工作站,通过容积再现(volume rendering,VR)、曲面重建(curved planar reconstruction,CPR)、最大密度投影(maximum intensity projection,MIP)、血管探针(vessel Probe,VP)技术处理.结果 76例中包括肾动脉瘤5例、肾动脉狭窄17例、肾癌12例、马蹄肾3例、单纯肾动脉变异39例;VR及MIP图像能清晰显示肾动脉的空间解剖细节,在发现肾动脉变异及动脉瘤方面优势明显;VP及CPR可准确测量狭窄血管的长度和最窄直径.结论 64层螺旋CT可直观地、准确地显示肾动脉变异和病变,在指导肾脏手术方面有重要临床价值.     

轻度认知障碍和阿尔茨海默病患者海马及海马旁回厚度变化研究

目的 评价高分辨影像学测定海马厚度对轻度认知功能障碍(mild cognitive impairment,MCI)和阿尔茨海默病 (Alzheimer's disease,AD)的诊断价值.方法 应用西门子3.0T磁共振采集25例 MCI患者,25例AD患者及25例正常对照的高分辨图像,用FreeSurfer软件测量3组海马及海马旁回皮质厚度,后用SPSS 17.0比较3组之间皮质厚度的差异.结果 MCI组[左侧(2.52±0.31) mm,右侧(2.44±0.43) mm],AD组[左侧(2.41±0.39) mm,右侧(2.37±0.38) mm]分别与对照组两侧海马,以及MCI组[左侧(2.23±0.51) mm,右侧(2.19±0.37) mm],AD组[左侧(2.11±0.41) mm,右侧(2.03±0.67) mm]海马旁回皮质厚度均存在显著的统计学差异,且AD组比MCI组在海马(左侧0.11 mm,右侧0.07 mm)及海马旁(左侧0.12 mm,右侧0.16 mm)均值上有更明显的萎缩.结论 海马及海马旁回皮质厚度与认知功能有一定相关,且厚度萎缩情况对疾病的阶段性发展具有一定的诊断意义.     

亲属活体肾供者肾小球滤过率与年龄的相关性及其临床意义

目的 探讨亲属活体肾供者肾小球滤过率(GFR)与年龄的相关性及其临床意义,为活体肾供者的选择提供客观的依据.方法161名亲属活体肾供者按年龄分为4组:第1组20～29岁(n=52),第2组30～39岁(n=44),第3组40～49岁(n=38),第4组≥50岁(n=27);同时以55岁为界,分为老年供肾组(＞55岁,n=24)和中青年供肾组(≤55岁,n=137).利用99Tcm-二亚乙基三胺五乙酸肾动态显像法定量测量供肾者GFR,对比分析不同年龄组间GFR的特性.结果 亲属活体供肾者双肾GFR为(89.55±12.87)ml·min-1·(1.73 m2)-1,不同年龄组(1～4组)GFR分别为:(88.27±12.29)ml·min-1·(1.73 m2)-1、(91.85±14.51)ml·min-1·(1.73 m2)-1、(89.25±11.26)ml·min-1·(1.73 m2)-1和(88.24±13.20)ml·min-1·(1.73 m2)-1,各组间GFR差异无统计学意义(F=2.09,P=0.10);老年供肾组与中青年供肾组GFR分别为(88.57±13.14)ml·min-1·(1.73 m2)-、(89.44±10.34)ml·min-1·(1.73 m2)-1,两组间GFR差异无统计学意义(F=1.31,P=0.25).经相关性分析,亲属供肾者GFR与年龄变化无明显相关性(r=-0.033,P=0.69).活体肾移植后供肾者均未发生严重并发症,血清肌酐、血清尿素氮均于短期内恢复正常水平,肝肾功能均正常.结论 亲属活体肾供者GFR与年龄变化无明显相关性,对于指导活体供体的选择有重要意义.     

Compensatory renal hypertrophy after donor nephrectomy

Renal length was measured radiographically in 65 living kidney donors, aged 27-69 years, who had undergone unilateral nephrectomy during the past 20 years. In 34 of these subjects, pre- and post-operative kidney length, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and blood pressure were available for analysis. Male donors developed greater compensatory hypertrophy than female donors. The extent of renal enlargement correlated negatively with the age of the subject at the time of nephrectomy and with the current mean arterial blood pressure. However, no correlation was found between the percentage change in renal length and either GFR or time since nephrectomy.     

Radiologic and pathologic abnormalities of the trachea in older patients with cystic fibrosis

The possibility of tracheal enlargement in older patients with cystic fibrosis was investigated by examining chest radiographs of 42 living adults (age range, 30-45 years) who had the disease and by performing postmortem studies (anatomic and histologic) on the tracheas of older adolescents and young adults (age range, 15-33 years) who died with the disease. Anteroposterior tracheal diameters were enlarged in 41 of the living adults. The average diameter was 1.3 +/- 0.9 SD standard deviations above the mean for normal subjects. These increases did not correlate with severity of pulmonary disease as judged radiographically. Enlargement seemed to have developed slowly, over many years or decades. A few tracheas were grossly irregular in outline. One patient had a severely increased transverse diameter of 4.7 standard deviations above the normal mean. The average transverse diameter was 0.3 +/- 1.1 SD standard deviations above the normal mean. The tracheas of adults and older adolescents who had died with cystic fibrosis were abnormally flaccid. Some collapsed suddenly during deflation. Microscopic examination showed instances of severe inflammation, focal epithelial metaplasia, hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the mucous glands, degenerative changes in the muscle of the pars membranacea, and death of cartilage cells. The structural changes shown histologically and the many decades of frequent, vigorous coughing may be important in the enlargement of these tracheas and their flaccidity.     

64层CT肾血管成像在肾移植供体评价中的临床应用价值

目的:评价64层螺旋CT肾血管成像技术在肾移植供体评价中的临床应用价值。方法:对40例亲属供肾者行64层螺旋CT肾血管成像,应用容积再现(VR)、最大密度投影(MIP)、多平面重组(MPR)等技术进行肾血管重建,评价供肾血管情况,将影像学表现与术中所见进行对照。结果:40例供肾者1次屏气完成扫描,均获得满意的轴面图像,应用VR、MIP、MPR等后处理技术重建肾血管,可清晰显示肾动脉主干及其2～4级分支。9例单侧肾由副肾动脉供血,其中8例单侧肾见单支副肾动脉,1例双侧肾各见1支副肾动脉;9例存在肾动脉分支过早,其中1例双肾动脉均为肾动脉分支过早,共10支血管距离肾动脉开口在1.5cm以内;2例显示肾静脉解剖变异。CT血管成像对供肾动静脉主干、副肾动脉、肾动脉分支过早、肾静脉主干变异的显示与术中所见一致。结论:64层螺旋CT肾血管成像是肾移植术前评价活体供肾血管的一种无创、安全、经济、有效的检查方法。     

肾小球滤过率评估方程在亲属肾移植供者评估中的适用性比较

目的以99mTc-DTPA血浆清除率为标准,对24 h内生肌酐清除率(Ccr)、Cockcroft-Gault(CG)方程和简化MDRD方程进行比较,评价三种方程在评估亲属肾移植供者肾功能中的应用价值。方法选择2004—2010年在我院进行评估的40例亲属肾移植供者,所有患者同步检测99mTc-GFR、血、尿肌酐等,将Ccr、C-G方程和简化MDRD方程估算的肾小球滤过率(GFR)用体表面积(BSA)标准化,与BSA标准化的99mTc-DTPA测得的GFR(99m Tc-GFR)进行比较。结果 Ccr、MDRD-GFR、CG-GFR与99mTc-GFR相关系数r分别为:0.74、0.81、0.86;三种方程的GFR估算值与99mTc-GFR差异均有显著统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论三种方程的GFR估算值与99mTc-GFR均有较好的相关性,其中以C-G方程最好,其次为简化MDRD方程,Ccr最低,但三种方程估算值与99mTc-GFR测定值差异均存在显著统计学意义。C-G方程较适合应用于亲属肾移植供者肾功能的初步评价。     

Renal imaging in long-term dialysis patients: a comparison of CT and sonography

Patients undergoing long-term dialysis are subject to cyst formation, hemorrhage, and neoplasia in their native kidneys. Detection of these complications with incremental dynamic CT and detection with sonography were compared prospectively in 41 patients (79 kidneys) who had been undergoing dialysis intermittently for 3 or more years. Acquired cystic kidney disease (five or more cysts per kidney) was identified in 59% of kidneys by use of CT and in 18% by use of sonography. CT showed a complete renal contour definition in all cases, sonography did so in only 57%. Three solid renal tumors (2- to 4-cm diameter) were identified with both techniques with no false-negative evaluations. Four benign hemorrhagic cysts were identified with combined CT (hyperdense mass) and sonography (benign cysts). CT provided the best anatomic image quality and was more accurate for detection of acquired cystic kidney disease. CT and sonography were equivalent for detection of solid tumors. Our results suggest that dynamic contrast-enhanced CT scanning with the supplemental use of sonography is the best imaging regimen for the evaluation of suspected acquired cystic kidney disease and its potential complications.     

Multidetector CT angiography for preoperative evaluation of living laparoscopic kidney donors

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of multidetector CT (MDCT) angiography as the primary imaging technique in the evaluation of living kidney donors. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Seventy-four consecutive living kidney donors (30 men, 44 women; mean age, 41.7 years) who underwent MDCT were evaluated. CT examination was performed with 120 mL of IV contrast material at an injection rate of 3 mL/sec and a pitch of 6. In every case, arterial and venous phase volumetric data sets were acquired at 25 and 55 sec, respectively. Scans were reconstructed at 1-mm intervals for three-dimensional (3D) imaging using a volume-rendering technique. Axial CT images and 3D CT angiography were evaluated prospectively by one reviewer and retrospectively by two reviewers who had no knowledge of surgical results. Surgical correlation for the location of primary and accessory renal arteries, early branching of the renal arteries, and renal vein anomalies was made. RESULTS: Seventy-two subjects underwent left nephrectomy, and two subjects underwent right nephrectomy because supernumerary left renal arteries were detected on preoperative CT angiography. Eighteen supernumerary renal arteries (two arteries to 16 kidneys and three arteries to one kidney) to 74 kidneys underwent nephrectomy. CT and surgical findings agreed in 93% of subjects (the average of three reviewers; range, 89-97%). Two small accessory renal arteries were missed by all three reviewers. Those arteries were diminutive and were thought to be insignificant by the surgeons. Early branching of the renal arteries was shown in 14 arteries, and CT and surgical findings agreed in 96% (the average of three reviewers; range, 93-97%). Renal vein anomalies were present in eight subjects, and CT and surgical findings agreed in 99% of the cases (range, 96-100%). CONCLUSION: MDCT angiography is highly accurate for detecting vascular anomalies and providing anatomic information for laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy.     

甲状腺转移瘤超声表现

目的探讨甲状腺转移瘤的超声影像特征。方法对11例甲状腺转移瘤病人[男8例,女3例;年龄49~73岁,平均年龄(62.3±6.3)岁]的临床、病理及超声表现进行回顾性分析,观察超声影像特征,并进行超声分型。结果 11例甲状腺转移瘤病人中6例单侧甲状腺受累,5例双侧甲状腺均受累。11例病例中5例呈单结节型(来源于肺2例,食管、肾脏、直肠各1例),最大径3.0~5.6 cm(平均3.9 cm);4例呈多结节型(来源于食管、肾脏、直肠、舌各1例),最大径1.5~3.8 cm(平均2.5 cm);2例呈弥漫性病变型(来源于肺、乳腺各1例)。实性结节或肿块病灶超声表现为低回声,形态不规则,边界不清,无晕环,内回声不均,无囊变、钙化,丰富血流信号,伴颈部淋巴结肿大。弥漫性病变超声均表现为双侧甲状腺弥漫性体积增大,回声减低不均,内探及丰富血流信号,伴颈部淋巴结肿大。结论甲状腺转移瘤具有一定的超声影像特征,结合病史有助于甲状腺转移瘤的诊断。     

Clear cell sarcoma of the kidney: CT, sonographic, and pathologic correlation

The sonographic and computed tomographic findings in 12 children aged 1-6 years with clear cell sarcoma of the kidney were reviewed retrospectively. Tumor size, calcification, and internal architecture were characterized and correlated with the gross pathologic findings. All tumors were unilateral and large (8.5-16 cm in diameter). Except for one, all masses were predominantly solid, and all contained some well-defined portions of low attenuation or hypoechogenicity that represented tumor necrosis. In addition, seven tumors contained uncomplicated fluid-filled cysts with diameters ranging from a few millimeters to 5 cm. Extension into the inferior vena cava was not noted. The radiologic features of clear cell sarcoma of the kidney are common to all malignant renal neoplasms. Some cases, however, may have features that simulate those of benign conditions, such as multilocular cystic nephroma or segmental cystic dysplasia. No pattern was discerned that would permit discrimination between clear cell sarcoma of the kidney and the most common renal neoplasm of childhood, Wilms tumor.     

Percutaneous transhepatic balloon dilation of portal venous stenosis in patients with living donor liver transplantation

PURPOSE: To retrospectively evaluate the long-term effectiveness of percutaneous transhepatic balloon dilation of portal venous stenosis in patients who have undergone living donor liver transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Institutional review board approval and informed consent were not required. From June 1996 to August 2003, obstructed portal venous blood flow was diagnosed in 45 patients (21 male, 24 female) with a history of living donor liver transplantation; patients ranged in age from 9 months to 61 years (mean, 9.2 years). All stenoses occurred in the extrahepatic portal vein near the anastomosis of the portal vein. All dilation procedures were performed with percutaneous transhepatic puncture of the intrahepatic portal vein and subsequent balloon dilation of the stenosis. Patients who experienced recurrent stenosis underwent another balloon dilation session. Intravascular metallic stents were not deployed because of the possible need for repeated transplantation. The authors used paired t tests to compare patients successfully treated with one venoplasty procedure and those requiring repeated venoplasty, with regard to age and stenosis diameter percentages before and after the initial procedure. RESULTS: Percutaneous balloon dilation was technically successful in 35 of 45 patients. In the remaining 10 patients, portal venous thrombotic occlusion precluded access to the mesenteric side of the portal vein. Twenty-five patients were successfully treated with a single session of balloon dilation (group 1). Results at follow-up ultrasonography revealed restenosis in 10 of 35 patients. Recurrent stenosis was resolved by means of repeated balloon dilation in nine patients (group 2). There were no significant differences between groups 1 and 2 in age (P = .87) or in stenosis diameter percentages before (P = .053) or after (P = .95) the initial procedure. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous transhepatic balloon dilation seems to be an effective method for treatment of portal venous stenosis after living donor liver transplantation.