Significance of CT scan and color Doppler duplex ultrasound in the assessment of Abernethy malformation

BMC Medical Imaging

Luiz Carneiro D´Albuquerque¹  Flair Jose Carrilho¹  Wellington Andraus¹  Manoel S. Rocha¹  Flávio Henrique Ferreira Galvão¹  Denise Cerqueira Paranaguá-Vezozzo¹  Lucas Souto Nacif¹ 

[1] Liver and Gastrointestinal Transplant Division. Department of Gastroenterology, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, Rua Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 255 -9° andar -sala 9113/9114 CEP 05403-900, São Paulo, Brazil

关键词: Abdominal imaging;    Liver transplantation;    Liver surgery;    Abernethy malformation;   

Others  :  1231035
DOI  :  10.1186/s12880-015-0079-7

 received in 2015-04-21, accepted in 2015-09-11,  发布年份 2015

【 摘 要 】

Background

Abernethy malformation is a rare congenital vascular abnormality in which the portal vein bypasses the liver and drains directly into the inferior vena cava. Diagnosis is complex and requires good quality imaging methods to identify details in systemic and portal circulation in order to establish diagnostic confirmation and treatment strategy. In this study we highlight the significance of the use of CT scans and Color Doppler Duplex Ultrasound for the diagnosis, treatment and evolution assessment in two adults with Abernethy malformation.

Case presentation

The diagnosis and the treatment of two patients with Abernethy malformation by CT scan and Color Doppler Duplex Ultrasound is described. One patient was submitted to liver transplantation due to chronic liver disease and multiple nodules diagnosed as adenoma. The other patient had normal liver function and a mild neurological and psychomotor dysfunction, therefore we adopted clinical treatment and close liver parenchyma evaluation and nodule surveillance, using an imaging approach involving intercalating CT scan and Color Doppler Duplex Ultrasound every 6 months. We highlight some important direct and indirect findings of non-invasive imaging methods.

Conclusion

Abernethy malformation requires meticulous image diagnosis to improve treatment and avoid iatrogenic procedures. CT scans and Color Doppler Duplex Ultrasound are both efficient methods for diagnosis, treatment planning and evolution assessment of patients with Abernethy malformation.

【 授权许可】

   
2015 Nacif et al.

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