Non-contrast-enhanced Magnetic Resonance Angiography of the Hepatic Portal Vein at 3.0 Tesla / 中国医学影像学杂志

ABSTRACT

Purpose To explore the methods of selectively visualizing hepatic portal vein by using three-dimensional fast imaging employing steady state acquisition combined with in-flow inversion recovery labeling pulse at 3.0 Tesla. Materials and Methods Ten healthy volunteers were examined under different TI (1200, 1400, 1600, 1800 ms), and the vessel-to-liver contrast ratio of the main portal vein, right portal vein, and left portal vein were measured. Results Non-contrast-enhanced MRA images of portal vein were obtained successfully in all ten volunteers. The signal intensity of peripheral portal branches gradually increased when TI increased from 1200 ms to 1600 ms, and the highest vessel-to-liver contrast ratio occurred when TI was 1400 ms. Conclusion Non-contrast enhanced magnetic resonance angiography of the hepatic portal vein can be successfully achieved at 3.0T high field MRI. A fixed TI of 1400 ms is preferable.