Purpose: To evaluate the scan timing and image quality of intravenous three-dimensional (3D) CT portography using multi-detector row CT (MDCT) and to assess the influence of patients' body weight on enhancement of the portal vein (PV).
Methods: One hundred nine patients with hepatic cirrhosis underwent triple-phase contrast enhanced CT using MDCT. The early, portal, and late phases were started at 30 sec, 60 sec, and 90 sec, respectively, after the beginning of intravenous injection of contrast medium (300 mgI/mL, 100 mL total). The CT value of the PV was assessed in the three phases: precontrast, portal phase, and late phase. 3D-portography of the MIP image was evaluated by three-point scale based on vessel visualization. The relationship between these data and body weight was investigated.
Results: The mean CT value of PV at 60 sec was 172.01+/-25.94 HU, which was significantly higher than that at 90 sec. Good or excellent 3D-CT portography was obtained in 97/109 patients (89%). Heavy patients tended to show less opacification of PV.
Conclusions: Intravenous 3D-CT portography using MDCT at a 60 sec delay provided adequate PV images for patients with hepatic cirrhosis. Enhancement of PV was affected by patients' body weight.