Visualization and Quantification of 3D Flow Characteristics in the Portal Venous System

Introduction: Chronic liver disease is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Almost 20% of patients have cirrhosis at presentation [1]. Previous studies have shown that alteration of hepatic perfusion parameters measured with CT or ultrasound in patients with liver cirrhosis correlate with the severity of chronic liver disease and the therapeutic outcome [2,3]. Recent studies assess liver cirrhosis by using color doppler velocity profile and contrastenhanced sonography [4]. Early evaluation of the portal venous system with magnetic resonance velocity mapping 2D phase contrast MR angiography was applied [5]. Recent studies measuring degree of cirrhosis and portal hypertension with MR imaging and doppler US apply dynamic contrast material enhanced MR imaging [6]. The aim of this study was to provide improved diagnostic information by visualizing and quantifying comprehensive 3D vascular hemodynamics in the portal venous system using flow-sensitive 4-dimensional MRI at 3T.