DUPLEX-DOPPLER FINDINGS IN SPLENIC ARTERIOVENOUS-FISTULA

Splenic arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is a rare cause of portal hyperten sion. An early diagnosis is crucial because lethal complications may o ccur if the disease is not treated. We report a case of AVF in a nonci rrhotic patient in whom the diagnosis was made by duplex sonography. T his technique can differentiate between AVF and other, more common vas cular abnormalities in the left upper quadrant in patients with portal hypertension. Duplex sonography can therefore be recommended as the f irst imaging approach in this population. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.