Transhepatic protal venography in potential pediatric liver transplant recipients

Noninvasive imaging of portomesenteric venous anatomy in prospective pediatric liver transplant recipients may be limited by the small size of the vessels. A simple technique of percutaneous transhepatic portal venography was developed that involves the use of a 22-gauge needle and hand injection of contrast material. The technique was used in six infants (aged 4-15 months) with portal hypertension and end-stage liver disease due to biliary atresia. The portal vein was diagnostically opacified in four of the six patients. There were no complications related to the procedure.