Diagnosis of Budd-Chiari syndrome: three-dimensional dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance angiography

Objective

To investigate the characteristics and diagnostic value of three-dimensional contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (3D CE-MRA) in the diagnosis of Budd?CChiari syndrome (BCS).

Methods

One hundred thirty-three BCS patients underwent 3D CE-MRA, 64 patients had primary BCS, and 69 had secondary BCS.

Results

Fifty five cases (41.4%) showed a segmental stenosis of the inferior vena cava, 9 cases (6.8%) a membranous obstruction of the inferior vena cava, 5 cases (3.8%) an unobstructed inferior vena cava and hepatic veno-occlusive condition, 16 cases (12.0%) an inferior vena cava stenosis and hepatic veno-occlusive disease, and 48 cases (36.1%) an intraluminal filling defect in the inferior vena cava. In 52 cases (39.1%), collateral blood vessels were formed, with deep, medium, and shallow portal veins and intrahepatic collateral veins in 88 groups. Among these, 41 (46.6%) had deep venous collateral channels, 24 (27.3%) had medium venous collateral channels, 9 (10.2%) had superficial venous collateral channels, 5 (5.7%) had portal vein collateral channels, and 9 (10.2%) had intrahepatic venous collateral channels.

Conclusion

3D CE-MRA is important in the clinical diagnosis and treatment planning of BCS and displays hepatic veins, the inferior vena cava system, and collateral vessels.     

Portosystemic collateral vessels in liver cirrhosis: a three-dimensional MDCT pictorial review

Purpose

Portosystemic collateral vessels (PSCV) are a consequence of the portal hypertension that occurs in chronic liver diseases. Their prognosis is strongly marked by the risk of digestive hemorrhage and hepatic encephalopathy.

Materials and methods

CT was performed with a 16-MDCT scanner. Maximum intensity projection and volume rendering were systematically performed on a workstation to analyze PSCV.

Results

We describe the PSCV according to their drainage into either the superior or the inferior vena cava. In the superior vena cave group, we found gastric veins, gastric varices, esophageal, and para-esophageal varices. In the inferior vena cava group, the possible PSCV are numerous, with different sub groups: gastro and spleno renal shunts, paraumbilical and abdominal wall veins, retroperitoneal shunts, mesenteric varices, gallbladder varices, and omental collateral vessels. Regarding clinical consequences esophageal and gastric varices are most frequently involved in digestive bleeding; splenorenal shunts often lead to hepatic encephalopathy; the paraumbilical vein is an acceptable derivation pathway for natural decompression of the portal system.

Conclusion

Knowledge of precise cartography of PSCV is essential to therapeutic decisions. MDCT is the best way to understand and describe the different types of PSCV.     

Investigating the benefit of adding a vena cava filter to anticoagulation with fondaparinux sodium in patients with cancer and venous thromboembolism in a prospective randomized clinical trial

Background

The benefit of adding a vena cava filter to anticoagulation in treating cancer patients with venous thromboembolism remains controversial. We initiated this study as the first prospectively randomized trial to evaluate the addition of a vena cava filter placement to anticoagulation with the factor Xa inhibitor fondaparinux sodium in patients with cancer.

Methods

Sixty-four patients with deep vein thrombosis (86?%) and/or pulmonary embolism (55?%) were randomly assigned to receive anticoagulation with fondaparinux sodium with or without a vena cava filter. Endpoints included rates of complications by treatment arm, recurrent thromboembolism, complete resolution of thromboembolism, and survival rates.

Results

No patient had a recurrent deep vein thrombosis; two (3?%) patients had new pulmonary emboli, one in each randomized cohort. Major bleeding occurred in three patients (5?%). Two patients on the vena cava filter arm (7?%) had complications from the filter. Median survivals were 493?days in the anticoagulation only arm and 266?days for anticoagulation?+?vena cava filter (p?Conclusions No advantage was found for placement of a vena cava filter in addition to anticoagulation with fondaparinux sodium in terms of safety, recurrent thrombosis, recurrent pulmonary embolism, or survival in this prospective randomized trial evaluating anticoagulation plus a vena cava filter in cancer patients. Favorable complete resolution rates of thrombosis were observed on both study arms.     

Portal vein branching pattern in anomalous right-sided round ligament

Objective

To study the relationship of anomalous right-sided round ligament with respect to branches of the portal vein.

Methods

We studied four patients of right-sided round ligament diagnosed radiologically in the last 5 years. 3-D volume rendered CECT abdominal images were analyzed for attachment of the round ligament in the liver in relation to portal venous anatomy and position of gallbladder.

Results

In all cases, a trifurcate pattern of portal venous branching was observed. Right-sided round ligament was attached at the point of divergence of the right anterior portal vein. The region to the left of the point of its attachment drained into the middle hepatic vein while the region to the right of the point of attachment drained into the right hepatic vein. The left portal vein branched into posterior and paramedian branches. Right, middle, and left hepatic veins were visualized having normal course in all cases. In all, the gallbladder was present to the left of the round ligament.

Conclusions

Trifurcate pattern of portal vein branching in all four cases. Right-sided round ligament was attached to the bifurcation of the right anterior portal vein in all the cases. The left portal vein branched into posterior and paramedian branches.     

Transjugular liver biopsy using ultrasonographic guidance for jugular vein puncture and an automated device for hepatic tissue sampling: a retrospective analysis of 200 consecutive cases

Background

We retrospectively evaluated the value of the combination of ultrasonographic guidance for jugular vein puncture and an automated biopsy device for transjugular liver biopsy.

Methods

Transjugular liver biopsy was performed with ultrasonographic guidance for right internal jugular vein puncture and an automated device for hepatic tissue sampling (Quick-Core^®) in 200 consecutive patients in whom percutaneous transhepatic biopsy was contraindicated. Histopathologic specimens were reviewed for adequacy and complications related to the procedure were analyzed.

Results

Biopsies were technically successful in 198 of 200 (99%) patients. The two cases of technical failure were due to an acute angle between right hepatic vein and inferior vena cava (1%). Adequate gross hepatic tissue specimens (mean length, 11. 0 mm ± 5.3; range, 5.0–20.0 mm) were obtained in 198 (99%) patients, allowing definitive histological diagnosis in 196 of 198 patients, for an overall success rate of 98%. Neither cases of inadvertent injury of the carotid artery nor life-threatening intraperitoneal bleeding were observed. Minor complications were noted in 24/200 (12%) patients.

Conclusion

The combination of ultrasonographic guidance for jugular vein puncture and an automated biopsy device for tissue sampling is recommended for transjugular liver biopsy as it results in a safe, well-tolerated, and efficient technique.     

彩色多普勒超声心动图诊断新生儿心下型肺静脉异位引流

目的 探讨彩色多普勒超声心动图在心下型肺静脉异位引流诊断中的价值。方法 患者为３例出生６天、７天及２５天的新生儿。采用Ｈｐ Ｓｏｎｏｓ５５００型彩色多普勒超声诊断仪,探头频率１２ＭＨｚ,经胸行二维超声心动图及彩色多普勒血流图检测。结果 心下型肺静脉异位引流的超声心图特征为左房明显小,房水平右向左分流,其后方见肺总静脉、与左房无交通,追踪其瞳向右下穿过膈肌、于肝右叶后方入门静脉或肝静脉。剑下主动脉短     

Systemic and splanchnic haemodynamic effects of pentifylline in rats with portal hypertension.

1. The systemic and splanchnic haemodynamic effects of pentifylline (40 mg/kg body weight intravenously) were assessed in rats with portal hypertension associated either with CCl4-induced cirrhosis (n = 13) or portal vein ligation (n = 13). 2. Heparinized catheters were placed into the portal vein, inferior vena cava, aorta and left ventricle with exits from the neck. Haemodynamic studies were performed 4 h after consciousness was regained. Cardiac output and regional blood flows were measured using radiolabelled microspheres and the reference sample method in seven rats in each group; portal-systemic shunting was measured using microsphere injection in the ileo-colic vein in six rats in each group. 3. Forty-five minutes after injection, pentifylline had no effect on mean arterial pressure, cardiac output, peripheral resistance, portal venous flow, hepatic artery flow or portal-systemic shunting in either group of rats with portal hypertension. The drug lowered portal pressure (-18%) in cirrhotic rats, but not in portal-vein-ligated rats. 4. These data demonstrate that pentifylline lowers portal pressure in cirrhotic rats without affecting portal venous flow and portal-systemic shunting; this effect is possibly mediated by changes in intrahepatic resistance related to the effects of pentifylline on blood viscosity and/or on intrahepatic vasomotor tone.     

多层螺旋CT静脉血管成像价值探讨

目的探讨多层螺旋CT静脉血管造影的应用价值.方法收集不同部位CT静脉血管造影21例,颈静脉及门静脉系统血管造影由上肢静脉注入对比剂,下腔静脉及下肢造影由小隐静脉注入对比剂,行三维重建及多平面重建,结合临床资料分析血管成像技术及诊断价值.结果静脉血管CT造影表现不同于动脉CT造影,不同部位的静脉血管表现不同.21例中发现颈鼻咽癌侵犯血管1例,血管走行纡曲1例;下腔静脉瘤1例,肿瘤压迫下腔静脉1例;门静脉高压1例,疑肠系膜上静脉内血栓1例;11例下肢静脉血栓.结论不同部位的静脉影像表现存在差异,不同的重建技术对血管的显示有影响.下腔静脉造影应注意假象的存在.     

Congenital absence of the portal vein.

A 4 1/2-year-old girl is described in whom the portal vein is absent and the venous return from the gastrointestinal tract, spleen, and pancreas is through the left renal vein into the inferior vena cava. She had a hepatoblastoma, which was treated surgically by right hepatic lobectomy. Regeneration occurred in the remaining left lobe within 3 months after surgery. This is the second such case documented in the literature.     

多层螺旋CT血管成像评价肝移植受者移植前后血管结构

背景:多层螺旋CT具有先进的扫描技术和强大的图像后处理功能,其亚秒级的扫描速度及各向同性的成像功能,在血管成像上有很多优势.目的:探讨多层螺旋CT血管成像技术对肝移植受者移植前后血管结构评价的应用价值.设计、时间及地点:回顾性分析,以肝移植受者肝脏血管为观察对象,自身对照观察,于2003-10/2006-12在中山大学附属第五医院放射科完成.对象:选择拟行原位肝移植患者27例,年龄31～67岁,男17例,女10例.方法:轴位螺旋扫描范围为膈顶上方2 cm至双肾下极以下.电压120 kV,动脉期准直0.75 mm,平扫、门脉期、肝静脉期准直1.5 cm;使用非离子型对比剂优维显,注射速度为3 mL/s,三期增强扫描延迟时间分别为20～25 s,50～55 s,75～80 s.重建增强的薄层图像序列,动脉期层厚1 mm,间隔0.7 mm;门脉期、肝静脉期层厚2 mm,间隔1 mm.将图像序列传入后处理工作站,以MIP、VR等方式显示腹腔干系、门脉系、肝静脉及下腔静脉血管的三维结构.主要观察指标:肝移植前后患者血管三维结构.结果:移植前所有患者腹腔干系均得到良好显示,21例肝动脉走形正常,6例患者肝动脉变异,其中门静脉海绵样变2例,门脉多发血栓1例,因不适宜手术此3例未进行肝移植.24例患者第二肝门及下腔静脉肝内段血管结构显示清楚,肝右静脉单独汇入下腔静脉、肝左静脉和肝中静脉先汇合后再注入下腔静脉18例,肝有静脉、肝中静脉及肝左静脉分别单独汇入下腔静脉6例,下腔静脉肝后段狭窄2例.17例肝移植后CT血管成像发现肝动脉吻合口部狭窄2例,门脉高压侧支迂曲缓解10例,另7例患者因检查费用问题选择B超检查.结论:多层螺旋CT血管成像能够清晰显示肝移植患者移植前后血管结构,对适宜手术的病例筛选、指导手术方案及移植后血管结构的评价具有重要意义.     

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome: spectrum of CT findings with multiplanar reconstructions and 3-D imaging

Objective

This article reviews the causes, clinical presentation, and CT diagnosis of superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome.

Conclusion

In conjunction with an appropriate clinical history, several CT findings can suggest the diagnosis of SMA syndrome. These findings include narrowing of the aortomesenteric angle and distance, distension of the stomach and duodenum, and dilatation of the left renal vein with left-sided venous collaterals.     

超声造影、术中超声在肝移植术后血管并发症中的应用

目的探讨超声造影、术中超声在肝移植术后血管并发症中的诊断价值。方法对CDFI检查疑有肝动脉、门静脉及下腔静脉狭窄或血栓形成的9例患者进行超声造影检查,对疑有门静脉血栓的3例患者进行术中超声检查;检查结果与数字减影血管造影(DSA)进行对照分析。结果超声造影提示门静脉血栓形成3例,并经术中超声检查证实肝动脉血栓形成3例,下腔静脉狭窄1例,均经DSA证实。另2例超声造影提示肝动脉未见明显异常的患者中,1例DSA诊断为肝动脉狭窄,1例肝动脉无明显异常;超声造影诊断符合(7/9)。结论超声造影可确诊门静脉、肝动脉血栓,但对准确诊断肝动脉狭窄仍有一定困难。     

Polysplenia syndrome: A case associated with transhepatic portal vein,short pancreas,and left inferior vena cava with hemiazygous continuation

This paper presents a 57-year-old asymptomatic patient with the polysplenia syndrome with abdominal manifestations. In addition to multiple spleens, the abdominal findings included a left inferior vena cava with hemiazygous continuation, a striking portal anomaly with the portal vein following an intraperitoneal-left transhepatic route to reach the porta hepatis, and a congenially short pancreas.     

MSCT血管造影诊断儿童门静脉畸形

目的 探讨螺旋CT血管造影(MSCTA)在儿童先天性门静脉畸形诊断中的价值.方法 对超声诊断或疑诊的7例儿童门静脉畸形患儿行MSCTA检查.对所有图像进行VR、MIP和(或)曲面重建(CPR)重建门静脉,分析门静脉畸形的影像学特征.结果 7例患儿中,4例诊断为门静脉海绵样改变,典型表现为第一肝门区见肝内门静脉周围纡曲、...     

Hepatosplanchnic circulatory dysfunction in acute hepatic infection: the case of dengue hemorrhagic fever

The mechanism of shock in patients with dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) has not yet been fully understood. In this study, we investigated the possibility of splanchnic venous pooling as a contributor for circulatory dysfunction in these patients. Ultrasonographic studies of portal vein and inferior vena cava were done in 45 patients with serologically or PCR-confirmed diagnosis of dengue virus infection. The size of portal vein and inferior vena cava, mean blood flow velocity in the right portal vein, and modified portal vein congestion index were compared between patients with dengue fever (DF, n = 20), DHF without shock (n = 14), and dengue shock syndrome (DSS, n = 11) during the toxic stage, convalescent stage, and at follow-up. The portal vein was significantly more dilated in patients with shock (DSS) than DHF without shock and than DF during the toxic and convalescent stages (P < 0.05), but not at follow-up. The change in the size of inferior vena cava followed the opposite trend (not statistically significant). Portal vein blood flow velocity was lower and congestion index was higher in shock cases (DSS) than DHF without shock and than DF at toxic and convalescent stages (P < 0.01). The differences disappeared at follow-up. Hepatosplanchnic venous pooling and/or dysfunction occur and correlate with the severity of circulatory derangement and shock in patients with DHF. The cause(s) and significance of hepatosplanchnic circulatory dysfunction in DHF and possibly other viral hepatic diseases deserve further study.     

The influence of PEEP and positioning on central venous pressure and venous hepatic hemodynamics in patients undergoing liver resection

Purpose

In order to assess the occurrence of blood congestion in the liver during liver resection, we aimed to evaluate the influence of a positive-end-expiratory-pressure (PEEP) and positioning of patients on central venous pressure (CVP) and venous hepatic blood flow parameters. We further analyzed correlations between CVP and venous hepatic blood flow parameters.

Methods

In 20 patients scheduled for elective liver resection we measured CVP and quantified venous hepatic hemodynamics by ultrasound assessment of flow-velocity and diameter of the right hepatic vein and the portal vein after equilibration following these maneuvers: M1: 0° supine position, PEEP 0 cmH₂O; M2: 0° supine position, PEEP 10 cmH₂O; M3: 20° reverse-trendelenburg position; PEEP 10 cmH₂O; M4: 20° reverse-trendelenburg position, PEEP 0cmH₂O.

Results

Changing from supine to reverse-trendelenburg position led to a significant decrease in CVP (M3 5.95?±?2.06 vs. M1 7.35?±?2.18 mmHg and M2 8.55?±?1.79 mmHg). A PEEP of 10 cmH₂O and reverse-trendelenburg position led to significant reduction of systolic (Vs_HV) and diastolic (Vd_HV) flow-velocities of the right hepatic vein (Vs_HV M3 19.96?±?6.47 vs. M1 27.81?±?11.03 cm s^?1;Vd_HV M3 14.94?±?6.22 vs. M1 20.15?±?10.34 cm s^?1 and M2 20.19?±?13.19 cm s^?1) whereas no significant changes of flow-velocity occurred in the portal vein. No correlations between CVP and diameters or flow-velocities of the right hepatic and the portal vein were found.

Conclusions

Changes of central venous pressure due to changes of PEEP and positioning were not correlated with changes of venous hepatic blood flow parameters as measured after equilibration. Strategies aiming for low central venous pressure cannot be supported by these results. However, before ruling out low-CVP-strategies during liver resections these results should be confirmed by further studies.

     

Vascular anatomy of the fetus.

Real-time ultrasonography is utilized in this study to demonstrate most of the large vessels in fetuses from 22 weeks on. Images of the aorta, the coronary ostium, the vessels of the aortic arch, the carotids, the ductus arteriosus, the superior mesenteric artery, the celiac axis, the common iliac artery, the external iliac artery, and the femoral artery are demonstrated. Additionally, images of the subclavian vein, the superior mesenteric veins, the splenic vein, the portal vein, the hepatic veins, the ductus venosus, the renal veins, the iliac veins, and the inferior vena cava, as well as the pulmonary artery and veins and the azygos vein, are presented.     

预先腹内控制下腔静脉防治肝切除术中肝静脉及下腔静脉损伤大出血

作者对7例半肝以上肝切除术及2例ⅦⅧ肝段切除应用止血带在腹腔内围绕肝下肾上及膈下肝上之下腔静脉,同时用橡皮管控制肝门血管,而暂不阻断,以预防术中可能发生的肝静脉或/和下腔静脉损伤大出血,其中2例还同时控制膈下腹腔动脉以上的腹主动脉。9例中7例无意外,2例术中发生肝中静脉损伤大出血,经止血带迅速控制,修补裂口,抢救成功。本文对肝叶切除术中误伤肝静脉或/和下腔静脉的原因和预防处理方法进行了讨论,认为在病变接近或累及第二肝门或下腔静脉的肝叶肝段切除,以及在半肝或三叶切除术中常规控制下腔静脉和肝门是一个简而有效的防治肝静脉或/和下腔静脉损伤大出血的好方法。     

Congenital absence of portal vein in the fetus: a case report.

Congenital absence of portal vein (CAPV) is a rare abnormality, which may be associated with other abnormalities. We report a case of prenatal diagnosis of absent portal vein confirmed on postnatal ultrasonography and computed tomography scan. The ultrasound features of CAPV include dilated intra-abdominal segment of umbilical vein, dilated inferior vena cava and the presence of hyperechogenic areas in the liver. Blood coming from the umbilical vein directly drains into the inferior vena cava. The dilated intra-abdominal segment of the umbilical vein shows high velocity pulsatile flow, resembling that of ductus venosus. These findings should prompt a careful search for the portal vein and any associated anomalies.     

Percutaneous ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of portal vein thrombi as a diagnostic and staging technique for hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

Detection of portal vein tumor invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is important in determining therapy and prognosis. Patients with portal vein thrombus (PVT) due to tumor are considered to have advanced disease and are only offered palliative therapy. Therefore, every possible attempt should be made to accurately differentiate benign from malignant PVT.

Methods

In this study, 20 patients presenting to the out-patient department with a PVT and a diagnosis/diagnostic suspicion of HCC were subjected to FNAC of PVT. Clinical, cytological, and histopathological data for these patients were analyzed.

Results

The patients had a median age of 58 years, with majority being cirrhotic (80%) and males (80%). Thirteen patients had a prior radiological diagnosis of HCC at the time of FNAC. In three patients without any mass on imaging, FNAC made the initial diagnosis and staged the disease simultaneously. 50% of the thrombi were limited to 1st-order portal vein branches (vp3). Sixteen of the aspirates were positive for malignancy with 50% of the tumors being moderately differentiated. On histologic follow-up, three of the patients with negative aspirates had bland thrombi in their portal veins. No complications resulted from the procedure.

Conclusions

FNAC of PVT is a simple, safe, effective, well-tolerated, and economical method for staging of patients with HCC. When used as the initial diagnostic procedure, in selected patients, it can provide the diagnosis and staging information simultaneously.