Color Doppler for diagnosis of idiopathic portal hypertension

Objective To explore the characteristics of idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH) on color Doppler images and to assess the diagnostic value of color Doppler on IPH. Methods Twenty-three IPH patients were subjected to the examination of color Doppler. Ultrasonographic features of these patients were then compared with their clinicopathological parameters. Results In the 23 IPH patients, the hospitalization frequency was 2 to 22 times (mean: 9.0±6.7); first time misdiagnosis was found in all cases; repeated upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage was found in 19 cases; normal liver function was found in all cases; varices confirmed by endoscopy and/or esophageal barium were found in 20 cases. In 18 patients undergoing surgical treatment, normal morphology of the liver was found in 17 cases, but liver cirrhosis in 1 case. In all the 23 patients undergoing color Doppler examination, normal morphology and echo of the liver were found in all cases, normal cava and dissepiment of intrahepatic portal vein in 19 cases, portal vein system cavernous transformation in 21 cases, thrombosis in portal vein system in 6 cases, but splenomegaly in all cases. Conclusion Color Doppler plays an important role in the diagnosis of IPH. In clinical practice, patients with upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage, hypersplenisa, and normal liver function should receive color Doppler examination.