SPONTANEOUS PORTOSYSTEMIC SHUNTS IN LIVER -CIRRHOSIS - DEMONSTRATION BY COLOR-CODED DUPLEX ULTRASONOGRAPHY

Purpose: To demonstrate the usefulness of B-scan ultrasonography and c olor Doppler ultrasonography (CCDS) in the diagnosis of lumbal and spl enorenal collateral veins in patients with liver cirrhosis. Method: 46 patients with histologically proven liver cirrhosis were examined by means of B-scan ultrasonography. CCDS was used to demonstrate the vasc ular character of mass-like lesions or tortuous tubular structures. Es ophageal varices were demonstrated in 23 (50%) and ascites in 6 patien ts (13%). Results: In 5 out of 46 patients (10.9%) we demonstrated lum bar and splenorenal portosystemic venous collaterals by B-scan- and CC DS. In 2 patients localized venous collaterals were demonstrated. No a scites was found in patients with accessory portosystemic shunts. CCDS showed the patency of these spontaneous portosystemic shunts, Conclus ion: In patients with chronic liver disease CCDS is a noninvasive meth od to demonstrate spontaneous portosystemic shunts due to portal hyper tension. The method provides information concerning patency and flow d irection of the collateral veins.