The portacaval space: imaging essentials

The portacaval space is a narrow space between the portal vein anteriorly and the inferior vena cava posteriorly. The contents of this space include normal structures such as the caudate lobe of the liver, part of the pancreas, normal lymph nodes, small vessels, fat, and the epiploic foramen. There are specific variants and pathologies localized to this space. This article navigates through the complex anatomy of the portacaval space, highlighting the surgical implications and CT and MR imaging appearances of pathologies that occur in or extend to the space, knowledge of which is crucial for guiding clinical management.