Portal vein thrombosis on unenhanced MRI: a case series

Chau Hung Lee1

  • 1Department of Radiology, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.

BJR Case Reports
|March 6, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Diagnosing portal vein thrombosis (PVT) without contrast is challenging. Unenhanced MRI sequences effectively detect PVT and help differentiate thrombus types in patients with contrast contraindications.

Area of Science:

  • Radiology
  • Medical Imaging
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a common condition often diagnosed using contrast-enhanced imaging modalities.
  • Intravenous contrast agents carry risks, including allergic reactions and nephrotoxicity, limiting their use in certain patient populations.
  • Accurate diagnosis of PVT is crucial for appropriate management and preventing complications.

Observation:

  • Unenhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques, including T2, T1, and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), can visualize PVT.
  • These MRI sequences offer insights into the characteristics of the thrombus.
  • The study highlights the diverse appearances of PVT on unenhanced MRI.

Findings:

  • Unenhanced MRI is a valuable tool for detecting PVT in contrast-allergic patients.
  • Specific MRI sequences aid in differentiating bland PVT from other conditions like portal pyemia and tumor thrombus.
  • The case series demonstrates the utility of various unenhanced MRI sequences in characterizing PVT.

Implications:

  • This approach expands diagnostic capabilities for PVT in a specific patient population.
  • Unenhanced MRI provides a safe and effective alternative when contrast administration is not feasible.
  • Improved diagnostic accuracy for PVT in contrast-contraindicated patients can lead to timely interventions and better outcomes.

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