Gradient echo MRI of portal vein thrombosis

The MR appearance of thrombosis of the portal vein and its branches using gradient echo (GRE) sequences is described. The study consists of two separate parts. In the first part, five normal volunteers were examined to select the optimal section plane for each portal vessel to be studied. Given the "time of flight" effect of GRE sequences, a scan plane perpendicular to the direction of flow was used to obtain maximal signal enhancement of flowing blood. In the second part of the study, 13 patients with thrombosis of the portal system diagnosed by Doppler sonography, CT, and digital subtraction angiography were examined with the GRE technique. Gradient echo MR confirmed the presence and defined the extent of vessel thrombosis with high diagnostic accuracy. In addition, it proved accurate in detecting portosystemic collaterals. We concluded that the GRE technique can be effectively used as a complement to conventional SE MR to further delineate portal vessels.