Budd-Chiari syndrome:diagnosis with three-dimensional contrast-enhanced MR angiography / 中华放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To assess the various features of Budd-Chiari syndrome(BCS)on three- dimensional contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography(3D CE MRA)and to evaluate the potential value of this new technique.Methods Thirty-three patients with BCS underwent 3D CE MRA examination. In 23 cases,BCS was secondary to hepatocellular carcinoma(21 patients)or right adrenal carcinoma (1 patient)or thrombophlebitis(1 patient).Ten patients had primary BCS.The patency of the hepatic veins,inferior vena cava(IVC)and portal veins were assessed.The presence of intra-and extrahepatic collaterals,liver parenchymal abnormalities and porto-systemic varices were evaluated.The diagnosis on 3D CE MRA was correlated with that on inferior vena cavography and right hepatic venography,which were available in 10 and 2 cases respectively.Results Various features of BCS were displayed on 3D CE MRA. Hepatic venous findings included tumor thrombosis(19 patients),tumor compression(2 patients), nonvisualization(4 patients)and focal stenosis(4 patients)of the hepatic veins.IVC findings were severe stenosis or occlusion(10 cases),tumor direct invasion(2 cases),tumor thrombosis(3 cases), thrombophlebitis(1 case)and web formation(3 cases).Intrahepatic collaterals were demonstrated in 9 patients including 2 with "spider web" sign.Detected extrahepatic collaterals included dilated azygos and hemiazygos veins(13 cases)and left renal-inferior phrenic-pericardiophrenic collaterals(2 cases).The occlusion of the left portal vein and the presence of porto-systemic varices were depicted in 2 and 10 patients respectively.Liver parenchymal abnormalities identified by 3D CE MRA consisted of caudate lobe enlargement(7 cases),heterogenous enhancement(18 cases)and associated tumors(18 cases). Compared with inferior vena cavography and hepatic venography,the accuracy of 3D CE MRA in the diagnosis of IVC obstruction or hepatic venous stenosis was 100%.Conclusion 3D CE MRA can display various features of BCS and has the potential to provide an accurate diagnosis.