Value of color Doppler ultrasonography in evaluating Abernethy malformation and postoperative complications in children / 中华超声影像学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To analyze the preoperative and postoperative color Doppler ultrasonographic features of Abernethy malformation in children, and to investigate the value of ultrasound diagnosis of Abernethy malformation and postoperative complications.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical and ultrasound data of twelve cases of Abernethy malformation confirmed by surgical treatment in the General Surgery Department of the Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Capital Institute of Pediatrics from February 2017 to November 2021. A comparison was made between preoperative ultrasound and intraoperative portal vein angiography after shunt ligation to explore the accuracy of preoperative ultrasound in diagnosing Abernethy malformation; The common location of thrombosis after shunt ligation was summarized by comparing postoperative ultrasound with CT angiography.Results:Preoperative ultrasonography showed no main portal vein or cable shape in 9 cases, and they were diagnosed as probable Abernethy type Ⅰ; The main portal vein was narrow in 3 cases, and they were diagnosed as Abernethy type Ⅱ. The main portal veins of 11 case were developing and they were confirmed as Abernethy malformation type Ⅱ by portal vein angiography after blocking of portosystemic shunt; the main portal vein of 1 case was not developing which was confirmed as Abernethy type Ⅰ. The classification accuracy of preoperative ultrasound diagnosis of Abernethy malformation was 33.3%. Preoperative ultrasound diagnosis of shunt vessel location the coarse inferior mesenteric veins of 7 cases flowed into the iliac vein, the coarse inferior mesenteric vein of 1 case flowed into the inferior vena cava, splenic vein and superior mesenteric vein converged and flowed into inferior vena cava in 2 cases, splenic vein and left renal vein communicated in 2 cases. The location of shunt vessels diagnosed by portal vein X-ray angiography was basically consistent with preoperative ultrasonography. At the same time, inferior mesenteric vein shunt combined with tortuous and dilated vein network on colorectal surface was observed. After ligation of shunt vessels, all of shunt vessels were occluded or thrombolized in varying degrees.Splenic vein retropancreatic segment of three cases occured secondary thrombosis, and one case of blocked portal vein occured secondary cavernous change. All the thrombi were confirmed by CT angiography.Conclusions:①The main portal vein of Abernethy malformation type Ⅱ is tenuous, and is easily misdiagnosed Abernethy malformation type Ⅰ by preoperative ultrasound examination; ②Preoperative ultrasound can determine the location of Abernethy malformed shunt vessels; ③The shunt between the inferior mesenteric vein-iliac vein/inferior vena cava should be emphatically explored in children with recurrent hematochezia; ④Postoperative ultrasound can detect portal vein thrombosis early and provide help for clinical anticoagulant therapy.