[Computed tomographic study of portal venous contrast medium perfusion of the liver]

Contrast medium was injected in the portal vein at a low flow rate via a transumbilical catheter in twelve patients. The distribution of the contrast medium in the liver was investigated by computed tomography. The results of this study demonstrate an incomplete mixture of splenic and mesenteric venous blood in the portal vein. In addition, there is layering of the contrast medium and blood in the portal vein, causing inhomogeneous contrast medium perfusion of the liver.