Hepatic Sinusoidal Dilatation: A Review of Causes With Imaging-Pathologic Correlation

Abstract

Hepatic sinusoids are vascular conduits connecting the portal triad with the central vein. Multiple conditions can lead to sinusoidal dilatation and congestion with resultant stasis of blood within the lumen. The altered hemodynamics associated with hepatic sinusoidal dilatation generally result in heterogeneous enhancement of the hepatic parenchyma on contrast-enhanced computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, a pattern often described as “mosaic” enhancement. In this article, we review the causes of hepatic sinusoidal dilatation and the imaging manifestations on contrast-enhanced computed tomography and magnetic resonance.