Ultrasound demonstration of changes in the normal portal venous system following a meal.
Eating might be expected to change vessel size within the portal venous system. The diameters of the portal and superior mesenteric veins were measured in thirteen normal individuals using B-mode ultrasound, initially fasting and then following a meal. We have shown a 50% increase in the diameter of both these vessels occurring between thirty minutes and one hour after a meal. The significance of this is discussed.
D000328:Adult; D004435:Eating; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008642:Mesenteric Veins / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography