An analysis of splenoportographic findings in portal hypertension

ABSTRACT

Splenoportography has been proved as a useful method for the evaluation of circulatory distrubances in portalhypertension. Authors analyzed the various aspects of these disturbances on splenoportography in 22 cases thatwere performed under the clinical suspicion of portal hypertension during recent 6 years, from May, 1976 to July,1982 at the Department of Radiology, National Medical Center. The results were as follows; 1. Liver cirrhosis wasthe most frequent cause of intrahepatic obstruction type in portal hypertenstion (86%). 2. The portal pressure wasmore than 400 mmH2O in 67% of the cases (range; 300-540 mmH2O). 3. In the majority of the cses, the higher theportal pressure was, the more dilated splenic and portal veins were. The diameter of portal vein was more than15mm in 79%, more than 21 mm in 47% of the cases (range; 10-26mm). The diameter of splenic vein was more than 15mmin 48% of the cases (range; 7-23mm). Especially the diameter of splenic vein was larger than that of portal veinin 20% of the cases. 4. There was no definite correlation between the development of collateral circulation andthe diameter of splenic and portal veins. 5. The filling of collateral circulation was definite sign of portalhypertenstion, though not regular. In portal hypertension, the collateral circulation was formed via coronary vein(91%), short gastric vein (64%), inferior mesenteric vein(36%). 6. Splenic-hilum time was delayed in 64% of thecases. Intrahepatic portal vein emptying time was more than 6 seconds in all the cases. 7. Most of the cases (91%)could be diagnosed as portal hypertension with vasculogram and hepatogram.