Abstract:
Background: Splenoportal hemodynamics assessment in portal hypertension syndrome is a well-known problem, due to the high incidence
of this pathology and associated complications. The accuracy of employed diagnostic methods is of paramount importance as early diagnosis
and appropriate management can certainly improve the prognosis and life expectancy of these patients. The study aim was to identify
reliable Doppler measurements for developing a scoring system of portal flow alteration severity in liver cirrhosis and classification of these
disturbances.
Material and methods: The study included 111 patients with liver cirrhosis. Ultrasound examinations were performed with a Voluson
E8 ultrasound system, using a 3.5-5 MHz convex transducer. The examination included B mode, color Doppler and pulse-wave Doppler
techniques. All patients also underwent extended clinical and biological evaluation. Obtained data were processed using case-based reasoning,
data segmentation and clusterization.
Results: A scoring system for severity of portal hemodynamics disorders in liver cirrhosis was developed based on five most relevant
conventional and Doppler parameters. The scoring system allows classification of portal flow alterations as low, middle and high severity.
Conclusions: The developed scoring system can be used as a useful complementary tool in differential diagnosis of portal flow alterations
in liver cirrhosis. The proposed score also allows a better dynamic imaging follow-up of patients with liver cirrhosis.
Description:
Department of Radiology and Imaging, Nicolae Testemitsanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Chisinau, the Republic of Moldova, The IVth Congress of Radiology and Medical Imaging of the Republic of Moldova with international participation, Chisinau, May 31 – June 2, 2018