False-positive "Cavernous Transformation" secondary to lymphatic filling in parenchymal hepatic CO(2) injection for portal vein visualization in TIPS procedures.

Purpose: To determine the frequency and potential importance of findings initially interpreted as portal vein occlusion with "cavernous transformation" at transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement with hepatic parenchymal CO(2) injection.

Materials And Methods: One hundred forty-seven patients underwent hepatic parenchymal CO(2) injections in the setting of fine-needle CO(2) TIPS procedures. Hepatic parenchymal CO(2) injections were retrospectively reviewed for findings suggestive of cavernous transformation in which direct portal venography confirmed portal vein patency.