Comparison of spin-echo to gradient-echo and cine techniques in evaluation of the portal system

In evaluation of flow in the portal venous system, MR spin-echo (SE) images showed portal vein thrombosis as an absence of intraportal flow void. However, the diagnostic quality of these images was often compromised by artifacts. Single-section, breath-hold, cardiac-gated, cine fast-imaging-with-steady-precession (FISP) MR images showed intraluminal flow as high signal and provided better depiction of the portal vein and fewer artifacts than did SE imaging. FISP and cine images of volunteers were obtained before and after administration of intravenous Gd-DTPA, and the intensity of the intraluminal signal was significantly increased with Gd-DTPA administration