Pre- and postoperative imaging of the Rex shunt in children: what radiologists should know.

Abstract

The objective of this article is to illustrate the imaging features of patients with extrahepatic portal venous obstruction who are evaluated before or after a Rex shunt surgery. The Rex shunt is a potentially curative surgical procedure that reestablishes physiologic hepatopetal portal flow. It is typically accomplished by interposing a vascular conduit between the superior mesenteric vein to the still patent intrahepatic portal venous system. This procedure results in resolution of portal hypertension.