Doppler sonography of the portal circulation in cases with portal hypertension

ABSTRACT

Portal hypertension is a common complication of chronic liver disease in Egypt due to high prevalence of schistosomiasis and viral hepatitis. The aim of this study is to assess duplex and color Doppler hemodynamic parameters of portal hypertensive patients. Twenty-five patients with portal hypertension were studied and 15 cases [undergoing upper endoscopy for reasons other than portal hypertension] were taken as a control. All patients were subjected to history taking clinical examination, laboratory work-up upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, abdominal ultrasonography and color Doppler ultrasonography. The results of this study revealed a significant increase in the diameter of the portal vein, a significant decrease in blood flow velocity in the portal and superior mesenteric veins as well as the development of collateral vessels, the commonest is the coronary vein