Paraumbilical vein and portal hypertension: Doppler evaluation

Portal hypertension is associated to the development of portosystemic colla teral 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 hype rtension secondary to hepatosplenic schistosomiasis. Methods: 75 patients w ith portal hypertension secondary to hepatosplenic schistosomiasis were eva luated by Doppler US. The patients were studied based on the presence (grou p B) or not (Group A) of a patent paraumbilical vein. The diameter and bloo d flow velocity of the portal vessels and of the paraumbilical vein were re corded. 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 +/-0.29cm/B=1.33 +/-0.16cm; left branch: A=0.95 +/-0.25 cm/B=1.30 +/-0. 24cm). The mean blood flow velocity was also increased in the portal trunk (A=15.96 +/-6.17 cm/sec/B=19.82 +/-6.26cm/sec) and in the left portal branc h (A=14.77 +/-4.29cm/sec/B=11.92 +/-6.88cm/sec). Conclusion: The presence o f a patent paraumbilical vein Is related to significant biometric and hemod ynamic variations in the portal venous system, in the setting of portal hyp ertension secondary to hepatosplenic schistosomiasis.