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Original Research
Changes in hepatic venous morphology with cirrhosis on MRI
Article first published online: 22 APR 2009
DOI: 10.1002/jmri.21718
Copyright © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Additional Information
How to Cite
Zhang, Y., Zhang, X. M., Prowda, J. C., Zhang, H. L., Sant'Anna Henry, C., Shih, G., Emond, J. C. and Prince, M. R. (2009), Changes in hepatic venous morphology with cirrhosis on MRI. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging, 29: 1085–1092. doi: 10.1002/jmri.21718
Publication History
- Issue published online: 22 APR 2009
- Article first published online: 22 APR 2009
- Manuscript Accepted: 5 JAN 2009
- Manuscript Received: 17 NOV 2008
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- MRI;
- cirrhosis;
- hepatic vein;
- liver transplantation;
- gadolinium;
- MRA
Abstract
Purpose
To identify changes in vascular morphology on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with cirrhosis and to compare these findings to liver donors.
Materials and Methods
Patients undergoing liver transplantation with biopsy-proven cirrhosis (n = 74) and liver donor candidates (n = 85) underwent dynamic gadolinium-enhanced 3D MR at 1.5T. Vessel diameters were measured independently by three radiologists and features of cirrhosis were identified and correlated with cirrhosis.
Results
Hepatic veins were smaller in patients with cirrhosis (4.9, 4.5, and 5.0 mm for right, middle, and left vs. 9.9, 7.6, and 8.9 mm in donors, P ≪ 0.001) and were negatively correlated with cirrhosis (P < 0.001). Right hepatic vein (RHV) <5 mm diagnosed cirrhosis with 59% sensitivity and 99% specificity; the sensitivity and specificity were 88% and 85% for RHV <7 mm. Main portal vein was minimally larger in cirrhosis, 14 versus 12 mm (P < 0.001) in donors. Right portal veins were smaller in cirrhotic patients, 6.5 and 6.2 mm compared to 8.4 and 7.6 mm (P ≪ 0.001), respectively, in donors.
Conclusion
Vascular features of cirrhosis include small hepatic veins, minimally enlarged main portal vein, and small intrahepatic portal veins; these features may facilitate identification of cirrhosis. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;29:1085–1092. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.