A Study on the Sensitivity of Different Methods in the Diagnosis of Portal Hypertension Associated with Liver Cirrhosis

Objective To investigate the sensitivity of different methods in the diagnosis of portal hypertension associated with liver cirrhosis. Methods 99 patients with portal hypertension associated liver cirrhosis, and 49 healthy subjects as control were enrolled in this study. Their portal and splenic vein widths, and the conditions of varicose vein in esophagus and gastric fundus were determined, and portal pressures were measured by radionuclide method. The positive percentage of different methods for the diagnosis of portal hypertension were analysed. Results Most of the patients with portal hypertension had the extension of portal and splenic vein in the fifferent areas and in various degrees. There were no significant differences in the degrees of portal and splenic vein extension among the patients with mild, moderate or severe esophageal varicose vein. The width of portal and splenic vein was not related with portal pressure. Radionuclide method was the most sensitive in diagnosing portal hypertension. Conclusion Portal hypertension can be diagnosed according to the conditions of vessels and spleen. The sensitivity of different methods in diagnosing portal hypertension were different, and that of radionuclide method was the highest. The width of portal and splenic vein had no close relation with portal pressure and the degree of esophageal varicose vein.