Magnetic resonance diagnosis of chronic portal vein thrombosis in children

11 cases of extrahepatic portal vein obstruction were evaluated by MR after initial ultrasound and splenoportovenographic examination. Besides demonstrating various collaterals, MR also demonstrated the site and extent of venous obstruction extremely well. The coronal oblique view was found to be superior to the coronal and axial views for demonstration of portal cavernoma. MR imaging is capable of depicting the findins non-invasively and may in the future obviate the need for splenoportovenography and angiography, which are invasive procedures and are associated with some morbidity and mortality especially in pediatric patients. (author). 11 refs.; 2 figs