Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, Vol 5, Issue 10 563-567, Copyright © 1986 by American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
Sonographic evaluation of liver, spleen, and splanchnic vessels following partial liver resection
M. Zoli, A. Melli, G. Viti, A. Marra and G. Marchesini
The liver and spleen size and the splanchnic vessel caliber were evaluated
by means of real-time ultrasonography in 12 consecutive patients who
underwent a partial hepatic resection for benign or malignant lesions. All
parameters were evaluated before surgery and 14 days, 28 days, two months,
and six months after the partial hepatic resection. The liver size, which
was halved after the resection, progressively increased during the
follow-up. The splanchnic veins showed, at 14 and 28 days, a significant
increase in caliber and a reduced compliance to breathing, which
progressively returned to normal levels. The spleen size increased after
partial hepatectomy and remained enlarged throughout the study.
Ultrasonography was able to detect that partial hepatic resection is
followed by a progressive regeneration of the residual parenchyma and by a
transient increase in portal pressure, which returns to normal levels when
the liver regenerates.
