Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, Vol 9, Issue 1 45-48, Copyright © 1990 by American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
Ultrasonic measurements of portal vasculature in diagnosis of portal hypertension. A controversial subject reviewed
A. K. Goyal, D. S. Pokharna and S. K. Sharma
Department of Medicine, S.M.S. Medical College and Hospital, Jaipur, India.
In a prospective ultrasound study, the various factors possibly influencing
the portal vasculature were evaluated in normal subjects; the correlation
of portal diameters with physical factors such as age, sex, and body
texture was poor, whereas the caliber variation was significant with
respiration, posture, and meal. Considering the fasting state, supine
decubitus, and deep inspiration as suitable and standard variables, the
diameters were compared in 100 healthy subjects and 50 patients with portal
hypertension. The upper normal limits of portal, splenic, and superior
mesenteric vein diameters were reported as 16, 12, and 11 mm, respectively,
and the dimensions above these values provided an overall sensitivity of
72%, an accuracy of 91%, and a specificity of 100% in diagnosing the
patients with suspected portal hypertension.
