Preoperative MR angiography evaluation of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt

Objective: To discuss the application of MR angiography (MRA) in deciding the puncture points of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). Methods: Preoperative MRA was performed in 59 patients with portal hypertension (study group) in order to search for the causes of portal hypertension, to observe the patterns and route of the hepatic and portal veins and to measure the vascular diameter at the scheduled puncture site. MRA was also performed in 50 healthy subjects, which was served as the control group. The results were compared between two groups. Results: The diseases in the study group included simple cirrhosis (n=49), cirrhosis accompanied with hepatocellular carcinoma (n=4), pure portal vein thrombosis (n=3), splenic vein stenosis (n=1) and Budd-Chiari syndrome (n=2). In study group the type I, II and III of the hepatic vein classification were seen in 14, 39 and 12 cases respectively,while in control group in 12, 34 and 14 cases respectively. In study group, the right, middle and left hepatic vein which had the diameter larger enough for puncturing existed in 52, 40 and 28 cases respectively, while in control group in 46, 34 and 23 cases respectively. The safe point for puncture via the right and the left branch of the portal vein was located beyond the distance of (16.2 ± 3.1) mm and (14.2 ± 3.8) mm respectively. Conclusion: MRA is a valuable non-invasive examination, which is of great value in determining the causes of portal hypertension and in planning the puncturing sites before performing TIPS. (authors)