[Doppler ultrasonography evaluation of paraumbilical vein and portal hypertension].

UNLABELLED: Portal hypertension is associated to the development of portosystemic collateral veins, particularly the paraumbilical vein.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the biometric and hemodynamic characteristics of the portal vessels related to the presence of a patent paraumbilical vein, in the setting of portal hypertension secondary to hepatosplenic schistosomiasis.

METHODS

75 patients with portal hypertension secondary to hepatosplenic schistosomiasis were evaluated by Doppler US. The patients were studied based on the presence (group B) or not (Group A) of a patent paraumbilical vein. The diameter and blood flow velocity of the portal vessels and of the paraumbilical vein were recorded.

RESULTS

The paraumbilical vein was detected in 17.33% of patients. The results showed an increase of the diameter of the main and left portal vessels whenever a patent paraumbilical vein was present (portal vein: A = 1.14 +/- 0.29 cm/B = 1.33 +/- 0.16 cm; left branch: A = 0.95 +/- 0.25 cm/B = 1.30 +/- 0.24 cm). The mean blood flow velocity was also increased in the portal trunk (A = 15.96 +/- 6.17 cm/sec/B = 19.82 +/- 6.26 cm/sec) and in the left portal branch (A = 14.77 +/- 4.29 cm/sec/B = 19.92 +/- 6.88 cm/sec).

CONCLUSION

The presence of a patent paraumbilical vein is related to significant biometric and hemodynamic variations in the portal venous system, in the setting of portal hypertension secondary to hepatosplenic schistosomiasis.