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

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 28, 2026

New Thrombectomy Technique for Total Portal Vein Thrombosis in Liver Transplantation
08:45

New Thrombectomy Technique for Total Portal Vein Thrombosis in Liver Transplantation

Published on: June 27, 2025

Elie Moubarak1, Antoine Bouvier, Jérôme Boursier

  • 1Department of Radiology, Angers University Hospital, Angers, France.

Abdominal Imaging
|October 18, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Portosystemic collateral vessels (PSCV) in chronic liver disease can lead to serious complications. Multi-detector CT (MDCT) imaging precisely maps these vessels, aiding crucial therapeutic decisions.

Area of Science:

  • Radiology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Hepatology

Background:

  • Portal hypertension in chronic liver disease leads to portosystemic collateral vessels (PSCV).
  • PSCV formation significantly impacts patient prognosis due to risks of digestive hemorrhage and hepatic encephalopathy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe and categorize portosystemic collateral vessels (PSCV) based on their drainage patterns.
  • To highlight the clinical significance of different PSCV types in patients with chronic liver disease.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a 16-MDCT scanner for imaging.
  • Employed maximum intensity projection and volume rendering techniques for detailed PSCV analysis.

Main Results:

  • Classified PSCV based on drainage into the superior or inferior vena cava.
  • Identified various PSCV subtypes including gastric, esophageal, and para-esophageal varices (superior vena cava group); and gastro-splenorenal shunts, paraumbilical veins, retroperitoneal shunts, mesenteric varices, gallbladder varices, and omental vessels (inferior vena cava group).
  • Correlated specific PSCV with clinical outcomes: esophageal/gastric varices with bleeding, splenorenal shunts with encephalopathy, and paraumbilical veins with portal decompression.

Conclusions:

  • Accurate mapping of PSCV is critical for guiding treatment strategies.
  • Multi-detector CT (MDCT) is the optimal imaging modality for understanding and delineating PSCV anatomy and variations.
Abstract

More Related Videos

DUCT: Double Resin Casting followed by Micro-Computed Tomography for 3D Liver Analysis12:39

DUCT: Double Resin Casting followed by Micro-Computed Tomography for 3D Liver Analysis

Published on: September 28, 2021

Visualization of Vascular and Parenchymal Regeneration after 70% Partial Hepatectomy in Normal Mice11:10

Visualization of Vascular and Parenchymal Regeneration after 70% Partial Hepatectomy in Normal Mice

Published on: September 13, 2016

Related Concept Videos

Portal Hypertension01:22

Portal Hypertension

Portal hypertension is an increase in blood pressure within the portal venous system. Normally, this pressure is less than 5 mmHg. It is considered clinically significant when it rises above 10 mmHg. At this threshold, complications from altered blood flow and venous congestion emerge.EtiologyPortal hypertension arises from conditions that impede blood flow through the liver. The most common cause is cirrhosis, in which chronic liver injury leads to fibrotic scarring. This fibrosis narrows or...
Hepatic Portal System01:21

Hepatic Portal System

The hepatic portal system, a critical part of our circulatory framework, transports nutrient-laden, deoxygenated blood from the gastrointestinal tract and spleen to the liver. This ingenious system plays an indispensable role in maintaining our body's metabolic equilibrium.
At its core, the hepatic portal vein is the result of a confluence of the superior and inferior mesenteric veins along with the splenic vein. Each of these veins has a unique role. The superior mesenteric vein is responsible...
Liver Histology01:27

Liver Histology

The microscopic anatomy of the liver is a complex and intricate system that comprises numerous structural units known as liver lobules, each of which is comparable in size to a sesame seed. These hexagonal structures consist of plates of liver cells or hepatocytes, which are characterized by their versatility and abundance of cellular apparatus like rough and smooth ER, Golgi apparatus, peroxisomes, and mitochondria.
Hepatocytes perform a variety of essential functions. They secrete...
Cirrhosis II: Pathophysiology01:24

Cirrhosis II: Pathophysiology

Cirrhosis is a progressive chronic liver injury caused by prolonged inflammation, excessive fibrotic remodeling, and impaired regeneration. Over time, repeated hepatic insults disrupt the liver’s architecture and function, leading to reduced blood flow, impaired bile drainage, and diminished metabolic capacity.Pathophysiology of cirrhosisCirrhosis arises from three main responses to chronic liver damage: inflammation, immune activation, and hepatocyte death. These processes lead to structural...
Gross Anatomy of the Liver01:17

Gross Anatomy of the Liver

The liver, the largest gland within the human body, is a firm and reddish-brown organ. This wedge-shaped structure weighs approximately 1.5 kg and occupies a significant portion of the right hypochondriac and epigastric regions. It extends more to the right of the body's midline than to the left.
Located under the diaphragm, the liver is almost entirely ensconced within the rib cage, providing it with substantial protection. Except for the superior most bare area, the liver's surface is covered...
Cirrhosis I: Introduction01:23

Cirrhosis I: Introduction

Cirrhosis is a chronic, irreversible liver disease characterized by the widespread replacement of healthy liver tissue with fibrotic scar tissue and the formation of regenerative nodules.Etiology of cirrhosisCirrhosis results from sustained liver injury that triggers progressive fibrosis and structural remodeling. The underlying causes are diverse, encompassing common and less frequent clinical conditions. Regardless of the origin, all causes lead to chronic inflammation, hepatocyte loss, and...