Evaluation of intraportal venous flow distribution by unenhanced MR angiography using three-dimensional fast spin-echo with a selective tagging pulse: efficacy of subtraction of tag-on and tag-off images acquired during a single breath-hold.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of subtracted MR images from two sets of unenhanced three-dimensional (3D) MR angiography data (tag-on and tag-off images) acquired simultaneously during a single breath-hold in assessing the intraportal venous flow distribution to the distal branches from the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) and the splenic vein (SpV).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tag-on and tag-off MR images during a single breath-hold were obtained in 25 normal subjects. Tagging pulse was placed on the SMV or SpV separately to study inflow correlation of tagged blood into the portal vein.

RESULTS: On the MR images tagged on the SMV, the mean ratings of visibility of tagged blood flow on the subtracted images were significantly higher (P = 0.016-0.0001) than those on the source images in almost all branches except second-ordered left portal vein (P = 0.096). On the subtracted MR images tagged on SMV, the tramline (16 of the 25 subjects) was the most common distribution pattern of the tagged blood inflow in the main portal vein.

CONCLUSION: Subtracted MR images from two sets of unenhanced 3D MR angiography data (tag-on and tag-off images) acquired simultaneously would be effective to show the blood flow distribution of tagged blood into the portal vein and distal branches from SMV and SpV under the physiological condition without contrast injections.