Color Doppler sonography of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS).
Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) have largely replaced surgically created shunts in the treatment of life-threatening sequelae of portal venous hypertension [1-5]. Conventional duplex and color Doppler sonography are proving to be useful tools in the assessment of the stents and their associated hemodynamic changes [2-5]. A thorough Doppler survey before and immediately after TIPS placement provides a baseline for evaluation of shunt function and procedure-related complications. Routine follow-up studies at regular intervals after the procedure provide noninvasive assessment of shunt patency and late complications. This pictorial essay illustrates the anatomic and hemodynamic abnormalities present with portal hypertension before TIPS and discusses the expected duplex and color Doppler findings after TIPS. The sonographic characteristics of immediate and delayed complications, as well as potential diagnostic pitfalls, are discussed.
Foshager
M C
MC
Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota Hospital and Clinics, Minneapolis 55455.
Ferral
H
H
Finlay
D E
DE
Castañeda-Zúñiga
W R
WR
Letourneau
J G
JG
D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006503:Hepatic Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011170:Portasystemic Shunt, Surgical; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015607:Stents; D014465:Ultrasonics; D014463:Ultrasonography