Efficacy of CTPV for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Assessment: Comparison with Endoscopy in Cirrhotic Patients with Gastroesophageal Varices

Figure 1

Computed tomography portal venography (CTPV) is comparable to endoscopy in the detection of gastroesophageal varices, and it is superior to endoscopy in the evaluation of the whole portal system. Severe gastric varices were clearly revealed by both (a) endoscopy and (b) CTPV. The (c) CT-MIP images and (d) CT-VR images demonstrate gastric varices (arrow) originating from the short/posterior gastric vein (arrowhead). Esophageal varices are depicted by (e) endoscopy and (f) CTPV. The (g) CT-MIP images and (h) CT-VR images reveal the left gastric vein as the inflowing vessel (arrowhead) of the varices (arrow). Axial computed tomography images show (i) paraesophageal varices and (j) paravertebral varices. Reconstructed images show the (k, l) tortuous paraumbilical vein and (arrow, m and n) spontaneous splenorenal shunt connecting the (curved arrow, m and n) left renal vein and (arrowhead, m and n) splenic vein.

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