Three-dimensional contrast-enhanced MRI of portal vein in cirrhosis-comparison of THRIVE_-BH and CE_-MRA_-ABD sequences

Objective: To compare one-stop dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI and 3D MRI of portal vein with 3D contrast-enhanced abdominal MR angiography (MRA). Methods: One hundred in-patients with clinical diagnosis of cirrhosis were divided randomly into two groups of 50 patients. One group underwent one-stop MRI including dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI and 3D MRI of the portal vein using the THRIVE_-BH sequence. The other group underwent 3D contrast-enhanced abdominal MRA. The image quality of the portal vein using the two methods was compared. Results: The inferior mesenteric venous branch of the extra-hepatic portal vein was less well seen on dynamic contrast-enhanced and 3D THRIVE_-BH MRI than 3D contrast-enhanced MRA(P < 0.05). Visibility of the intra-hepatic portal vein was not significantly different between the two methods (P < 0.05). Conclusions: One-stop examination including dynamic contrast-enhanced and 3D THRIVE_-BH MRI of portal vein can be useful for monitoring cirrhosis. (authors)