Abstract
Portal vein (PV) thrombosis may be detected on contrast medium-enhanced computed tomographic (CECT) scans of patients with acute abdominal pathology. We describe a pitfall of dynamic CECT related to the normal arched configuration of the left PV umbilical segment. On axial images, just caudal to the left PV arch, there is an apparent discontinuity in the left PV lumen filled with low-attenuation fat in the intersegmental fisure. If opacified hepatic artery branches traverse the fissure at this level, an appearance mimicking segmental PV thrombosis with mural enhancement can result. A retrospective review of 180 CECT scans in patients without PV thrombosis revealed this phenomenon in seven cases (4%). Awareness of this pitfall obviates the need for superfluous investigations that might otherwise be necessary to confirm PV patency.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call