Visualisation of the portal flows by porto-scanner

This study presents a retrospective analysis of 15 portal vein CT scans, co nducted for the evaluation of hepatic metastasis in patients suffering from colorectal cancer, with the aim of verifying in vivo the presence of lamin ar now as reported by Pironcof. After selective catheterization of the supe rior mesenteric artery, CT scans were performed during opacification of the portal vein. Different flows were identified by the incomplete opacificati on they induced in the portal vein. Splenic flows could always be identifie d, however right colic and superior mesenteric flows were only seen in 3 ca ses (20%) and gastrocolic now in 2 (13.6%). Even though incremental (i.e. s lower than helical) the CT acquisitions allowed the flows to be viewed by m odifying the visualisation window. In vivo evidence of laminar flow is prov ided which supports Pironcof's experimental observations.