The recanalized umbilical vein in portal hypertension: a myth.
The demonstration of a vessel in the falciform ligament, traditionally presumed to be a reopened umbilical vein, is an important sonographic sign of portal hypertension. This vessel was sought in 200 umbilicoportographies (all portal hypertensive) and in 41 autopsy-dissected falciform ligaments (34 normal and seven cirrhotic). The normal falciform ligament contained one to three tiny collapsed paraumbilical veins. In cirrhotics, the number and caliber of paraumbilical veins increased. A reopened umbilical vein was never found. The authors conclude that the umbilical vein does not recanalize in portal hypertension. The vessel involved is actually an enlarged paraumbilical vein.
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D008022:Ligaments / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*