Portal vein visualization during intravenous cholangiography

The portal vein (PV) was frequently visualized during infusion intravenous cholangiography with tomography. Although visualization was usually faint, the PV was occasionally seen as well as or better than the common duct (CD). Occasionally, there is sufficient periportal fat to enable PV visualization without contrast material, but PV visualization is probably usually due to a combination of faint venous opacification and surrounding periportal and omental fat. If unrecognized, the opacified portal vein may occasionally be mistaken for a dilated common duct.