The imaging guidance for the portal vein branch puncturing in performing TIPS: recent progress in research

The performance of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) has two key procedures: (1) portal vein branch puncturing, and (2) the correct judgment of the safety of the puncture site. The portal vein branch puncturing is the most important and difficult step for a successful TIPS procedure. Therefore, to find and to establish an proper access to the portal vein is critical. Nowadays, in clinical practice several imaging techniques have been used to localize the portal vein, such as magnetic resonance imaging, sonography, fluoroscopy, arteriography and computed tomography. This article aims to make a general review on these invasive and non-invasive localization techniques when a successful performance of TIPS is expected. (authors)