Portal thrombosis: dynamic CT features and course.

Abstract

Portal thrombosis was diagnosed on computed tomography (CT) in 10 patients and confirmed by sonography. CT demonstrated decreased density of the portal vessels in 9 patients with peripheral arterial concentration of contrast material surrounding the intraluminal thrombus. In 1 patient, a fresh thrombus was seen as an increase in intraluminal density on the pre-contrast scan. The involved vessels were generally enlarged. Three patients had follow-up scans, which revealed a cavernoma in 2 and complete patency of the portal vein and its branches following anticoagulant therapy in 1. In the latter patient, localized abnormal intra-hepatic blood flow suggested infarction of portal origin as the result of clot migration.