TRANSJUGULAR INTRAHEPATIC PORTOSYSTEMIC SHUNTS - ASSESSMENT WITH HELICAL CT ANGIOGRAPHY

To evaluate diagnostic computed tomographic (CT) angiograms of transju gular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS), helical CT angiography was performed in 10 patients with (n = 7) or without (n = 3) shunt dy sfunction. CT angiography was performed with 3-mm-thick sections, pitc h of 1, 120 kV, and 180-220 mA, after injection of 150 mi nonionic con trast material at 5 mL/sec, with a 50-second scanning delay after init iation of injection. All patients underwent transjugular portography w ithin 1 week after CT angiography. In all cases, CT angiography correc tly showed the presence or absence of the abnormality. These prelimina ry data suggest that CT angiography can provide diagnostic images of n ormal and abnormal TIPS.