Skip to main content

Splenic venous flow exceeding portal venous flow at Doppler sonography: relationship to portosystemic varices.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Nelson, RC; Sherbourne, GM; Spencer, HB; Chezmar, JL
Published in: AJR Am J Roentgenol
September 1993

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine if the Doppler sonographic finding of hepatopetal flow in the splenic vein that exceeds hepatopetal flow in the portal vein is associated with portosystemic varices. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-four patients with chronic liver disease were studied retrospectively. In 32 patients, splenic venous flow exceeded portal venous flow (S > P group); in 32 patients, portal venous flow exceeded splenic venous flow (P > S group). All patients were evaluated with Doppler sonography and CT of the upper part of the abdomen. Upper endoscopy was performed within 3 months of sonography in 44 of the 64 patients. RESULTS: In the S > P group, mean splenic volume was significantly larger (p = .02) than in the other group. The prevalence of varices as determined by CT in the esophageal, coronary, and peripancreatic regions was also higher in this group (p < or = .01). When esophageal varices were present, they were judged on the basis of their CT appearance to be massive in 50% of the S > P group and in 0% of the P > S group. Upper endoscopy revealed esophageal varices in 92% of the S > P group and in 55% of the P > S group (p < .005). Bleeding esophageal varices were noted in 75% of the S > P group and in 30% of the P > S group (p < .01). CONCLUSION: Patients with chronic liver disease and the Doppler sonographic finding of splenic venous flow that exceeds portal venous flow have an increased prevalence of portosystemic varices, which tend to be larger and more likely to bleed.

Duke Scholars

Published In

AJR Am J Roentgenol

DOI

ISSN

0361-803X

Publication Date

September 1993

Volume

161

Issue

3

Start / End Page

563 / 567

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Varicose Veins
  • Ultrasonography
  • Splenic Vein
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Portal Vein
  • Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Liver Diseases
  • Humans
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Nelson, R. C., Sherbourne, G. M., Spencer, H. B., & Chezmar, J. L. (1993). Splenic venous flow exceeding portal venous flow at Doppler sonography: relationship to portosystemic varices. AJR Am J Roentgenol, 161(3), 563–567. https://doi.org/10.2214/ajr.161.3.8352105
Nelson, R. C., G. M. Sherbourne, H. B. Spencer, and J. L. Chezmar. “Splenic venous flow exceeding portal venous flow at Doppler sonography: relationship to portosystemic varices.AJR Am J Roentgenol 161, no. 3 (September 1993): 563–67. https://doi.org/10.2214/ajr.161.3.8352105.
Nelson RC, Sherbourne GM, Spencer HB, Chezmar JL. Splenic venous flow exceeding portal venous flow at Doppler sonography: relationship to portosystemic varices. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1993 Sep;161(3):563–7.
Nelson, R. C., et al. “Splenic venous flow exceeding portal venous flow at Doppler sonography: relationship to portosystemic varices.AJR Am J Roentgenol, vol. 161, no. 3, Sept. 1993, pp. 563–67. Pubmed, doi:10.2214/ajr.161.3.8352105.
Nelson RC, Sherbourne GM, Spencer HB, Chezmar JL. Splenic venous flow exceeding portal venous flow at Doppler sonography: relationship to portosystemic varices. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1993 Sep;161(3):563–567.

Published In

AJR Am J Roentgenol

DOI

ISSN

0361-803X

Publication Date

September 1993

Volume

161

Issue

3

Start / End Page

563 / 567

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Varicose Veins
  • Ultrasonography
  • Splenic Vein
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Portal Vein
  • Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Liver Diseases
  • Humans