Imaging Protocol for Abdominal VTSS

Contrast-enhanced CT and/or MRI scans of the abdomen were performed in all patients for various diagnostic purposes. CT scan was performed by a GE Light-speed VCT 64 slice scanner (GE Healthcare, Milwaukee, WI, USA). MRI scan was performed by a GE Signa HDx 1.5T scanner or a GE Signa HDx 3.0T scanner (both from GE Healthcare, Milwaukee, WI, USA). The scans followed the protocol for standard contrast-enhanced abdominal CT or MRI examination as previously described8 (link)9 (link)10 . The slice thickness was 1.25 mm, 2.5 mm, 5 mm, and 7 mm, respectively, for determining the effects of slice thickness on the recognition of VTSS and was 5 mm for both CT and MRI in other analysis.