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The portacaval space: imaging essentials
Journal article   Peer reviewed

The portacaval space: imaging essentials

Aruna Raman Patil, Yashant Aswani, Rajesh Helavar, Shrivalli Nandikur, Prakash Pichumani, Vishnu Vardhan Reddy and Jayanth Reddy
Abdominal radiology (New York)
05/27/2026
DOI: 10.1007/s00261-026-05553-7
PMID: 42201347

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Abstract

The portacaval space is a narrow space between the portal vein anteriorly and the inferior vena cava posteriorly. The contents of this space include normal structures such as the caudate lobe of the liver, part of the pancreas, normal lymph nodes, small vessels, fat, and the epiploic foramen. There are specific variants and pathologies localized to this space. This article navigates through the complex anatomy of the portacaval space, highlighting the surgical implications and CT and MR imaging appearances of pathologies that occur in or extend to the space, knowledge of which is crucial for guiding clinical management.
Computed Tomography Magnetic Resonance Imaging Hepatic artery Paraganglioma Portacaval space Portal vein Lymph nodes Inferior vena cava

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