Varices from portal hypertension: correlation of CT and angiography.

Abstract

Two hundred abdominal CT and angiographic examinations were performed on 137 patients with portal hypertension. These patients were being evaluated before or after a distal splenorenal shunt. CT increased the detection of umbilical and retroperitoneal varices. Angiography better detected peripancreatic varices and cavernous transformation. Both modalities together added more information than either alone in identification of coronary and/or gastroesophageal, retrogastric, and perisplenic-mesenteric varices. This additional anatomic information helped in the patient's management pre- and postoperatively.

Three-dimensional Multi–Detector Row CT Portal Venography in the Evaluation of Portosystemic Collateral Vessels in Liver Cirrhosis

“…On axial CT scans, varices manifest as serpentine tubular structures and represent the portosystemic collateral vessels that usually result from portal hypertension in liver cirrhosis (12). They may be classified into two groups depending on whether they drain toward the superior or inferior vena cava.…”

Sonographic Appearances of the Incidentally Detected Pancreatic Varices in Patients with Portal Hypertension

“…In the beginning CT images were not readable enough to replace conventional angiography in assessment of pancreatic vascularization [4] . This however changed rapidly with the introduction of spiral (helical) CT, a technique that gave improved diagnostic capabilities including 3D imaging and CT angiography.…”

Mesenteric venous collateral vessels mimicking cystic pancreatic neoplasm

“…Varices involving the organs in the upper abdomen have been reported; usually they are portosystemic collateral pathways in patients with portal venous hypertension [5,6]. Varices affecting the duodenum [7], small bowel [8], stomach [9], kidneys [10] and retroperitoneum [11] have also been reported.…”