Postoperative assessment of splenorenal shunts with MRI: preliminary investigation.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed on nine patients with hepatic cirrhosis and portal hypertension after selective distal splenorenal shunt for decompression of bleeding esophageal varices. MRI demonstrated the splenorenal anastomosis and patency of the shunt, splenic vein, and left renal vein in each case. Imaging in the transverse plane provided optimal visualization of the shunts. The authors conclude that MRI is a safe, noninvasive technique for the postoperative evaluation of selective distal splenorenal shunts.