[Doppler ultrasonography evaluation of paraumbilical vein and portal hypertension].
Portal hypertension is associated to the development of portosystemic collateral veins, particularly the paraumbilical vein.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the biometric and hemodynamic characteristics of the portal vessels related to the presence of a patent paraumbilical vein, in the setting of portal hypertension secondary to hepatosplenic schistosomiasis.


METHODS
75 patients with portal hypertension secondary to hepatosplenic schistosomiasis were evaluated by Doppler US. The patients were studied based on the presence (group B) or not (Group A) of a patent paraumbilical vein. The diameter and blood flow velocity of the portal vessels and of the paraumbilical vein were recorded.


RESULTS
The paraumbilical vein was detected in 17.33% of patients. The results showed an increase of the diameter of the main and left portal vessels whenever a patent paraumbilical vein was present (portal vein: A = 1.14 +/- 0.29 cm/B = 1.33 +/- 0.16 cm; left branch: A = 0.95 +/- 0.25 cm/B = 1.30 +/- 0.24 cm). The mean blood flow velocity was also increased in the portal trunk (A = 15.96 +/- 6.17 cm/sec/B = 19.82 +/- 6.26 cm/sec) and in the left portal branch (A = 14.77 +/- 4.29 cm/sec/B = 19.92 +/- 6.88 cm/sec).


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of a patent paraumbilical vein is related to significant biometric and hemodynamic variations in the portal venous system, in the setting of portal hypertension secondary to hepatosplenic schistosomiasis.
de Oliveira
I R
IR
Instituto de Radiologia do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil.
Widman
A
A
Fukushima
J T
JT
Saad
W A
WA
Gama-Rodrigues
J J
JJ
Cerri
G G
GG
D003097:Collateral Circulation; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008109:Liver Diseases, Parasitic / Q000150:complications; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012555:Schistosomiasis mansoni / Q000150:complications; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D014680:Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*