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Assessment of portal vein patency: Pitfalls and problems in diagnostic comparative studies
Author(s) -
Taylor Caroline R.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.488
H-Index - 361
eISSN - 1527-3350
pISSN - 0270-9139
DOI - 10.1002/hep.1840100124
Subject(s) - portography , medicine , biliary atresia , ultrasound , radiology , liver transplantation , portal vein , cirrhosis , portal hypertension , occlusion , vein , surgery , transplantation
The accuracy of ultrasound assessment of portal vein patency has been defined by comparing it with the results of arterial portography in 115 cases. The accuracy of arterial portography was confirmed in 21 cases where orthotopic liver transplantation was performed and used as a “benchmark” against which to assess the ultrasound findings. Ultrasound correctly assessed portal vein patency in 87.5% of patients. It was more accurate in assessing patency (90%) than occlusion (68%). Ultrasound correctly assessed portal vein patency in 90% of cases of cirrhosis and hepatic malignancy. Difficulties occurred in children with biliary atresia particularly following the Kasai operation (37.5% accuracy). In the absence of previous surgery to the portal vein or biliary system, ultrasound is comparable to arterial portography and can be used as the sole means of assessment.