Portal vein thrombosis on unenhanced MRI: a case series

Abstract

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is usually diagnosed on contrast-enhanced CT, MRI or Doppler ultrasound. However, for patients with contraindications to intravenous contrast, its diagnosis is challenging. In these patients, PVT can be detected on unenhanced MRI using T2, T1 and diffusion-weighted imaging. These sequences may also help differentiate between bland PVT, portal pyemia and tumour thrombus. This case series aims to highlight the various appearances of PVT on unenhanced MRI.