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Utility and limitations of splanchnic venous ultrasonography in diagnosis of portal hypertension
Author(s) -
Rector William G.,
Campra Jose,
Ralls Philip W.,
Charms Matthew
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
journal of clinical ultrasound
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.272
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 1097-0096
pISSN - 0091-2751
DOI - 10.1002/jcu.1870140905
Subject(s) - medicine , portal hypertension , splanchnic , splanchnic circulation , portal venous pressure , cirrhosis , splenic vein , mesenteric vein , radiology , collateral circulation , ultrasonography , cardiology , hemodynamics , portal vein
The splanchnic venous system was examined by real‐time ultrasonography in 46 patients with cirrhosis and documented portal hypertension and in 32 healthy subjects. Patients with portal hypertension had increased diameter of the splanchnic (portal, splenic, and superior mesenteric) veins (76% of patients), attenuation of the normal inspiratory increase in vein size (59%), and demonstrable portasystemic collateral vessels (umbilical or coronary veins or spontaneous splenorenal shunt) (44%). Splanchnic venous dimensions were significantly increased and changed less with respiration in patients with demonstrable portasystemic collaterals as compared to patients without these vessels. Portal pressure correlated only mildly with portal vein diameter (r = 0.30, p < 0.05). Ultrasound abnormalities are present in a majority of patients with intrahepatic portal hypertension. However, because increased venous diameter and attenuated change in diameter with respiration are less frequent in patients lacking demonstrable portasystemic collaterals, the sensitivity of the test is least in those patients in whom its specificity is also limited.