With considerable advances in technology, ultrasound, as a
noninvasive procedure has been more frequently used for diagnosis of liver diseases and portal hypertension (P.H.).
Venography and splenoportography, both are invasive procedures with considerable X-ray exposure. The information obtained from these procedures are limited only to condition of vesseles, while with ultrasonic study, diameter of main portal and splenic veins could be measured and any increases in diameter more than 2 mm would suggest P.H.
Diagnosis of vessele wall thrombosis in portal system as uniform or heterogenous echogenic area also is possible with ultrasound. Pulse doppler can be used for determining blood velocity and volume, in the same vesseles, and color doppler ultrasound study will show patency of smaller vesseles when clinically indicated.
We studied, 15 patients who were clinically suspision to have P.H. with ultrasound to confirm P.H. . In all of cases ultrasonic findings such as increased diameter of portal and splenic veins, splenomegaly and presence of collaterals were evidences for diagnosis of P.H.
In 2 cases evidences of portal vein thrombosis, were found. In another 2 cases evidences of extrinsic pressure on portal system due to hydatid cysts of liver was thought as causes of P.H..
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