Gallbladder varices in portal vein thrombosis.
OBJECTIVE
We performed a prospective study to determine the frequency that gallbladder varices are seen on duplex sonograms of patients with portal vein thrombosis.


METHODS
Findings of gallbladder wall varices were sought on duplex Doppler sonograms of 74 patients with portal vein thrombosis. The diagnosis of portal vein obstruction was made on the basis of sonographic or splenoportographic findings.


RESULTS
Sonography showed gallbladder varices in 22 (30%) of 74 patients. Varices were defined as anechoic, serpentine areas in the wall of the gallbladder showing venous flow on Doppler imaging. However, no gallbladder varices were detected in six patients who had patent surgical splenorenal shunts. Gallbladder varices did not correlate with the site and extent of portal vein thrombosis, the presence of a spontaneous (natural) splenorenal shunt, or endoscopic obliteration of varices.


CONCLUSIONS
Gallbladder varices are common in patients with portal thrombosis. Awareness of gallbladder varices should increase the surgeon's caution during biliary tract surgery in patients with portal hypertension.
Chawla
Y
Y
Department of Hepatology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, India.
Dilawari
J B
JB
Katariya
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging