Recanalization, Radiology & Medicine, In Surgery/Intervention, Imaging Findings.

 Recanalization means restoring the flow in a previously blocked or occluded vessel, duct, or tubular structure.

👉 It is used in different contexts:

1. In Radiology & Medicine

• Vascular recanalization: Reopening of a blocked blood vessel (artery or vein) naturally or by treatment.

  • Example: After a stroke, a thrombus (clot) in the cerebral artery may dissolve, and blood flow is restored → this is called spontaneous recanalization.

  • Can also be achieved by thrombolysis (clot-dissolving drugs) or mechanical thrombectomy (catheter removal of clot).

• Portal vein recanalization: Seen in portal hypertension or cirrhosis, where collateral veins may form to restore flow.

2. In Surgery/Intervention

• Fallopian tube recanalization: A procedure to reopen blocked fallopian tubes (infertility treatment).

• Biliary or urinary recanalization: Interventional radiologists may use wires, catheters, or stents to open blocked ducts.

3. Imaging Findings

• On CT/MRI/Ultrasound, recanalization may appear as:

  • Flow signal return in previously occluded vessel (Doppler US, MR angiography).

  • Contrast opacification of a vessel that was earlier non-enhancing.