Arterioportal shunts mimicking hepatic tumors with hyperintensity on T2-weighted MR images

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Hepatology
• Vascular Imaging

Background:

• Arterioportal shunts are abnormal connections between hepatic arteries and portal veins.
• These shunts can lead to altered hepatic hemodynamics and may present with nonspecific imaging findings.
• Differentiating arterioportal shunts from hypervascular liver tumors is critical for appropriate patient management.

Observation:

• A case study detailing imaging findings in a patient with multiple arterioportal shunts.
• The shunts mimicked multiple hypervascular liver tumors on initial assessment.

Findings:

• Multiple areas of hyperintensity were observed on gadolinium-enhanced gradient-recalled-echo images during the hepatic arterial phase.
• Corresponding slight hyperintensity was noted on T2-weighted images, characteristic of arterioportal shunting.

Implications:

• Highlights the importance of recognizing arterioportal shunting as a differential diagnosis for hypervascular liver lesions.
• Accurate imaging interpretation can prevent misdiagnosis and guide appropriate treatment strategies.