[Incidence of intrahepatic and subcapsular hematomas after percutaneous needle biopsy].

Intrahepatic and subcapsular hematomas are described as complications of percutaneous liver biopsy. Even though, its incidence is not clearly established. Through this study we try to set which is the real incidence of this complication in our medium.

Utility and limitations of splanchnic venous ultrasonography in diagnosis of portal hypertension.

The splanchnic venous system was examined by real-time ultrasonography in 46 patients with cirrhosis and documented portal hypertension and in 32 healthy subjects. Patients with portal hypertension had increased diameter of the splanchnic (portal, splenic, and superior mesenteric) veins (76% of patients), attenuation of the normal inspiratory increase in vein size (59%), and demonstrable portasystemic collateral vessels (umbilical or coronary veins or spontaneous splenorenal shunt) (44%). Splanchnic venous dimensions were significantly increased and changed less with respiration in patients with demonstrable portasystemic collaterals as compared to patients without these vessels.

[Transparieto-hepatic cholangiography with Chiba needle].

253 percutaneous transhepatic cholangiographies with Chiba needle were performed. In 83% of the cases the biliary tract could be visualized. In the patients with extrahepatic cholestasis 92% success was achieved, while only 48% success in the cases with intra-hepatic cholestasis.

Effectiveness of high-dose spironolactone therapy in patients with chronic liver disease and relatively refractory ascites.

Ten patients with ascites due to chronic liver disease were treated with spironolactone as the sole diuretic in doses of 300 to 600 mg daily. Prior to spironolactone treatment ascites was relatively refractory as indicated by baseline 24-hr urine sodium values of less than 5 mEq and natriuresis of less than 30 mEq following 200 mg hydrochlorothiazide. With spironolactone, mean daily weight loss was 540 g and natriuresis 74 mEq; diuresis was considered satisfactory in nine of ten patients.