Evaluate the role of endoscopy and ultrasonography in patients of portal hypertension

Background: Aim of the study was to evaluate the role of endoscopy and ultrasonography in pediatric patients suffering from portal hypertension .subjects: children under 12 years of age hospitalized with any symptom or sign suggestive of portal hypertension.Methods: The study was conducted in 30 children with portal hypertension. They were divided into two groups on the basis of site of lesion: extrahepatic (extra hepatic portal vein obstruction) and intrahepatic (chronic liver diseases).Results: Mean age of children with EHPVO (extra hepatic portal vein obstruction) was 4 years and 4 months while that of children with CLD (chronic liver diseases) mean age was 8 years and 4 months. Endoscopic findings in patients with EHPVO have severe grade of varices as compared to those with CLD. In patients with EHPVO, the most common USG finding was nonvisualisation of the main portal vein or either branch (75-85%). Portal vein cavernoma was seen in 75% of these patients. Portosystemic collaterals were visualized in 23 patients' in which the left gastric collateral (60%) was the most common followed by short gastric collaterals in 11 children (55%).Conclusions: Endoscopy and ultrasonography are new and better modalities to assess the diagnosis and severity of portal hypertension. Extra hepatic portal vein obstruction is the commonest cause followed by intrahepatic obstruction (Chronic liver diseases).