MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING IN THE STAGING OF HEPATIC VENOOCCLUSIVE DISEASE

Objective: To report the use of magnetic resonance imaging in the stag ing of hepatic veno-occlusive disease. Patient: A 38-year-old woman wi th idiopathic hepatic veno-occlusive disease. Interventions: Ascites a nalysis, liver biopsy, abdominal ultrasound, computed tomography, digi tal subtraction angiography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Results: Hepatic outflow was obstructed. The pattern of hepatic tissue was patc hy, although the caudate lobe was spared. The hepatic veins could not be visualized, but the caval and portal veins presented normally. Comp ression of the caval vein in the intrahepatic traject with extensive v enous collaterals was evident. Conservative treatment was justified be cause of the good clinical condition of the patient, which included al most intact liver function, and resulted in normalization of the findi ngs on magnetic resonance imaging within 1 year after the start of ora l anticoagulant treatment. Conclusion: Magnetic resonance imaging may be valuable in the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of hepatic veno- occlusive disease.