COLOR DOPPLER IMAGING OF SHUNTS FROM THE LEFT PORTAL BRANCH IN PORTAL-HYPERTENSION - DESCRIPTION OF A TYPICAL PATTERN

Purpose: To describe the typical colour Doppler appearance of a shunt through the parenchyma of the left lobe of the liver in portal hyperte nsion. Material and Methods: Ultrasound images of 141 patients with bi opsy-verified cirrhosis were reviewed. Special note was taken of the a ppearance of shunts from the left portal branch. Results: In 28 patien ts, shunts from the left portal branch were detected ultrasonographica lly, 10 of which ran through the liver parenchyma on a course separate d from the ligamentum teres. Seven of these 10 followed a tortuous cou rse just below the surface of the liver creating a ball or corkscrew-l ike pattern. Conclusion: Shunts from the left portal branch are not un common and may represent the only ultrasonographically detectable path ology in these patients. Recognition of the typical pattern will facil itate their detection.