The utility of echo-dopplerography in the management of portal splenopathy

Abstract

Introduction. Portal splenopathy (PS) is a common complication of liver cirrhosis. Aim of the study. Examination of the utility and diagnostic performance of portal echoDopplerography (PED) for the detection of PS and observation of those patients. Materials and methods. The retrospective study based on the cases includes 36 cirrhotic patients with PS, admitted and surgically treated within the Clinic. The analyzed data for each studied case were included in an evaluation form, based on the outline of the imagistic aspects of the analyzed lot. Results. The study group was represented by men (44.2%), women (55.8%) with an average age of 35-45 years and cirrhotic status. Valid PED findings were defined as follows: splenomegaly (mild / moderate / severe - 6/11/19), clinically associated with abdominal pain and distension (63.8%) and hypersplenism (91.7%), portal and splenic vein dilation with sinus varicose veins in hilum (94.4%), splenoportal axis thrombosis (22.2%), ascites (16.7%), hepatomegaly (19.4%), accessory spleen (13.9%), splenic infarction (8.3%), subcapsular hematoma (5.6%). Conclusions. Ultrasound changes suggestive to the patients with PS are high and correlated with the stage of portal hypertension, having a major impact on their therapeutic management.