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.