Colour Doppler imaging of shunts from the left portal branch in portal hypertension. Description of a typical pattern.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the typical colour Doppler appearance of a shunt through the parenchyma of the left lobe of the liver in portal hypertension.


METHODS
Ultrasound images of 141 patients with biopsy-verified cirrhosis were reviewed. Special note was taken of the appearance of shunts from the left portal branch.


RESULTS
In 28 patients, shunts from the left portal branch were detected ultrasonographically, 10 of which ran through the liver parenchyma on a course separated from the ligamentum teres. Seven of these 10 followed a tortuous course just below the surface of the liver creating a ball or corkscrew-like pattern.


CONCLUSIONS
Shunts from the left portal branch are not uncommon and may represent the only ultrasonographically detectable pathology in these patients. Recognition of the typical pattern will facilitate their detection.
Department of Radiology, Malmö University Hospital, Sweden.
A
A
Nilsson
P A
PA
Olofsson
I
I
Lorén
P
P
Nilsson
D001706:Biopsy; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D003097:Collateral Circulation; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology