CT during arterial portography: effects of precontrast injection of prostaglandin E1 into the superior mesenteric artery.

Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) is a vasodilator that increases portal venous flow. Hepatic CT during arterial portography (CTAP) was performed in 42 patients with and without PGE1 to compare peak hepatic enhancement and nontumorous abnormalities. Although no significant differences in peak hepatic enhancement were observed (71 +/- 12 HU for CTAP with PGE1; 74 +/- 34 HU for CTAP without PGE1), the number of nontumorous abnormalities for CTAP with PGE1 (n = 11) was significantly lower than that for CTAP without PGE1 (n = 24) (p < 0.01, Wilcoxon signed rank test). CTAP combined with PGE1 therefore represents a useful method to study lesions of the liver, as the number of nontumorous abnormalities observed is significantly reduced and liver parenchyma can be scanned more evenly.