Hepatic heterogeneity on CT in Budd-Chiari syndrome: correlation with regional disturbances in portal flow

A comparative study of the imaging findings of computed tomography (CT), selective arteriography, CT arteriography, and/or CT portography is presented in 4 patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome. Hepatic differences in attenuation and morphologic changes were generally found to be closely related with regional disturbances in portal flow. Areas with complete hepatic vein obstruction were hypodense on pre- and postcontrast scans, probably due to portal flow inversion. In 2 of 4 cases, these were subsequently atrophied, while areas receiving the remaining venous outflow appeared hypertrophied. They were markedly enhanced on postcontrast scans. Enhancement may be patchy due to portal and sinusoidal stasis.