AIM:To evaluate the role of three-dimensional contrastenhanced magnetic resonance angiography (3D CE MRA) in the diagnosis of Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS).
METHODS:Twenty-three patients with BCS underwent 3D CE MRA examination, in which 13 cases were secondary to either hepatocellular carcinoma (11 cases), right adrenal carcinoma (1 case) or thrombophlebitis (1 case) and 10 suffered from primary BCS. The patency of the inferior vena cava (IVC), hepatic and portal veins as well as the presence of intra-and extrahepatic collaterals, liver parenchymal abnormalities and porto-systemic varices were evaluated. Inferior vena cavography was performed in 10 cases. The diagnosis of IVC obstruction by 3D CE MRA was compared with that demonstrated by inferior vena cavography.