CT diagnosis of portosystemic shunts.

CT angiography is a new method of diagnosing portal vascular anomalies using volumetric imaging. The scan speed, spatial and contrast resolution, and image display capabilities make CT an excellent tool for depicting anomalous vessels. Normal vessels, congenital intrahepatic and extrahepatic shunts, arterioportal fistulae, and multiple acquired portsosystemic shunts are all readily visible on contrast-enhanced CT images. Technical parameters such as timing, bolus, and respiratory pause are essential to acquiring a diagnostic study.