Intrahepatic venous collaterals in Budd-Chiari-syndrome demonstrated by colour-coiled Doppler ultrasound.

By means of colour Doppler ultrasound, veno-venous shunts were found in 3 c ases, leading to the diagnosis of Budd-Chiari Syndrome. Pulsed and colour D oppler ultrasound showed a reduction in venous blood flow and the reversal of blood flow in the venous collaterals. Venous spectral Doppler wave forms in the veno-venous shunts were flattened and aphasic in all cases. Sonogra phic findings were confirmed by cavography. Our cases show that pulsed and colour Doppler ultrasound are a valuable tool in the initial diagnosis of v eno-venous shunts associated with Budd-Chiari Syndrome.