Color Doppler sonographic signs of respiration-dependent hepatofugal portal flow

PURPOSE: The role of respiration in modulating blood flow in the portal vein is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the phenomenon of respiration-dependent periodic hepatofugal portal venous blood flow as detected on color Doppler sonography. METHODS: Within 1 year, we identified 13 patients with respiration-dependent reversal of blood flow in the portal vein that was diagnosed on color Doppler sonography. This phenomenon was investigated by color Doppler sonographic examination of the portal venous flow during both mid-inspiration breath-holding and a respiratory cycle including deep inspiration; evaluation of hepatic vein Doppler waveforms as normal (triphasic) or decreased (flattened); and echocardiographic examination to determine the presence or absence of tricuspid regurgitation. RESULTS: The patients' median age was 53 years (range, 26-87 years). Seven of the 13 patients had heart disease (tricuspid regurgitation) with or without liver disease, 3 had liver disease without heart disease, and 3 had other diseases with no evidence of heart or liver disease. On Doppler sonography, 10 of the 13 patients had increased portal venous pulsatility (7 of the 10 had tricuspid regurgitation; the other 3 did not); the remaining 3 patients had neither increased pulsatility nor tricuspid regurgitation. Sonographic follow-up within 4 weeks in 4 of the 13 patients revealed loss of the respiration-dependent hepatofugal portal flow. CONCLUSIONS: Respiration-dependent hepatofugal portal flow is a rare finding associated with periodic portal hypertension in patients with right heart insufficiency and liver disease. Its clinical significance is unclear. Among our patients, its occurrence was predominantly associated with an increased venous pulsatility index due to tricuspid regurgitation or venous outflow obstruction. Further study is needed to investigate whether periodic respiration-dependent hepatofugal portal flow is predictive of the occurrence of continuous flow reversal.     

Relationship between portal blood flow measured by image-directed doppler ultrasonography and hepatic blood flow measured by indocyanine green constant infusion in patients with cirrhosis

The validity of portal blood flow measurement in image-directed Doppler ultrasound (PBF-IDU) is still under debate. In this study PBF-IDU has been compared with hepatic blood flow measured by the indocyanine green constant infusion technique (HBF-ICG), which is the reference invasive method with which to measure total hepatic blood flow in man (ie, the sum of hepatic artery and portal vein blood flow). In 27 cirrhotic patients with hepatopetal portal blood flow, PBF-IDU was measured by multiplying the portal vein cross-sectional area by the averaged mean velocity of blood in the vessel. About 1 hour later HBF-ICG was measured during hepatic vein catheterization performed to evaluate portal hypertension. In 19 of 27 patients, intra-hepatic arterial resistance indices were also measured. PBF-IDU and HBF-ICG were 1.010 ± 0.555 L/min (M ± SD) and 1.496 ± 0.731 L/min, respectively. Blood flow measured by the two methods showed a close correlation (r = 0.80, p < 0.001). The regression line showed that HBF-ICG was systematically higher than PBF-IDU (mean difference + 29 ± 30%). The hepatic artery component of HBF-ICG probably accounted for the difference. An inverse correlation was found between the differences between the two procedures and intrahepatic arterial resistance indices (r = ?0.52, p = 0.04), which may be considered indirect parameters of arterial supply. It can be concluded that image-directed Doppler ultrasound is a sufficiently accurate method to measure portal blood flow in cirrhotics. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

肝硬化门脉高压患者入肝血流的超声评价

目的观测肝硬化门脉高压患者入肝血管(肝动脉、门静脉)血流动力学,探讨其与Child-Pugh肝功能分级、临床预后的关系.方法应用彩色多普勒超声分别检测35例正常健康人和37例肝硬化门脉高压患者的人肝血管的血流参数,分析肝硬化门脉高压入肝血管血流动力学参数与肝硬化分级关系.结果肝硬化门脉高压患者门静脉内径增宽,血流速度下降,充血指数增高,肝动脉血流阻力增高,与对照组有明显差异;肝硬化门脉高压患者Child-Pugh肝功能分级与门静脉内径无显著差异(P＞0.05),Child C级门静脉血流量显著减少,Child肝功能分级与门静脉的充血指数有关.结论测定入肝血管血流动力学参数有助于判断肝硬变门脉高压症的预后,为临床诊治提供依据.     

肝硬化胆囊壁的高频超声分型与门静脉主干及右支血流动力学的关系

目的 探讨肝硬化胆囊壁的不同分型与门静脉主干及右支血流动力学变化的关系.方法 采用高频超声联合二维及彩色超声观察肝硬化组(69例)和对照组(30名)的胆囊壁分型、厚度、门静脉主干内径(D_(pv))、门静脉主干血流速度(V_(pv))、门静脉主干血流量(Q_(pv))、门静脉右支内径(D_(rpv))、门静脉右支血流速度(V_(rpv))、门静脉右支血流量(Q_(rpv)).同时根据胆囊壁的不同分型将69例肝硬化患者分为胆囊壁不厚亚组、单纯增厚亚组和双边亚组,对比肝硬化各组与对照组以上检测指标的差异.结果 各组间胆囊壁厚度均存在差异(P<0.05);D_(pv)除胆囊壁不厚亚组与单纯增厚亚组间差异无统计学意义外,其余各组间差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01);V_(pv)仅单纯增厚亚组与对照组、双边亚组与对照组间差异有统计学意义(P<0.01);Q_(pv)在双边亚组与其余各组间差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).D_(rpv)、Q_(rpv)各组间差异均无统计学意义;V_(rpv)对照组分别与单纯增厚亚组及双边亚组间差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).肝硬化组与对照组Q_(rpv)/Q_(pv)比值差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).胆囊壁厚度与D_(pv)呈正相关(r=0.886,P<0.01).结论 肝硬化时高频超声下胆囊壁的不同分型与门静脉主干血流动力学变化关系密切,而与门静脉右支血流动力学变化无相关性;胆囊静脉回流受阻并非肝硬化门静脉高压胆囊壁变化主要的血流动力学原因,其发生可能有更内在的机制.     

彩色多普勒超声对特发性门静脉高压症的诊断价值

目的探讨彩色多普勒超声对特发性门静脉高压症的诊断价值。方法应用彩色多普勒超声对15例特发性门静脉高压症患者进行检查,观察肝脏表面,内部回声,脾脏大小,肝门静脉及分支以及脾静脉等。结果二维灰阶超声显示15例特发性门静脉高压症中11例均出现不同程度的肝实质回声增粗,但均未见表面凹凸不平表现。15例(15/15)均见门静脉肝内分支管壁增厚、回声增强、管腔狭窄甚至闭塞呈条索状高回声。3例(3/15)伴有门静脉主干及脾静脉迂曲扩张,7例(7/15)伴有门静脉主干狭窄,显示门静脉主干管壁增厚、回声增强,管腔狭窄。彩色多普勒超声显示沿狭窄闭塞的肝内门静脉分支走行探及少许断续的点状血流。9例(9/15)出现门静脉海绵样变性。结论彩色多普勒超声显示肝内门静脉分支管壁增厚、管腔狭窄甚至闭塞的特征性改变及门静脉海绵样变性等,可提示为特发性门静脉高压症,彩色多普勒超声在特发性门静脉高压症诊断上有较高的临床应用价值。     

Ultrasound in detection of portal venous gas in adults

Three patients with sonographically demonstrated portal venous gas are presented. Two patients were also studied using computed tomography (CT). Both techniques had superior sensitivity compared to plain radiographs. Scattered echogenic patches in the liver parenchyma, and centrifugal flow of echogenic patches in the portal vein and its branches, are typical ultrasound findings of portal vein gas. Evaluation of ultrasound findings and coordination with clinical history differentiate portal vein gas from biliary gas.     

Doppler ultrasound evaluation of advanced portal vein pulsatility in patients with normal echocardiograms

The hypothesis tested that mechanisms other than retrograde transsinusoidal fluid wave transfer reported in patients with right heart failure are responsible for the ultrasonographic sign of advanced portal vein pulsatility (APP). Within a time-period of 3 years we have seen 13 patients with APP, defined as temporary portal flow reversal in the face of a normal echocardiogram. Nine of these patients had biopsy-proven liver cirrhosis and four with liver disease were without cirrhosis or cardiac pathology. A randomly selected control group of 18 healthy subjects was studied. Doppler ultrasound evaluation of the hepatic veins as well as the intra and extrahepatic portal vein territories was performed in both groups. Hepatopetal portal flow with APP reversed to hepatofugal flow in follow up studies in two patients. In another two hepatopetal flow with APP in the main portal vein and hepatofugal flow in the intrahepatic portal radicles was recorded during the same examination. The remaining group displayed APP in the intra and extrahepatic portal vein territories. None of the normal subjects presented with APP. Hepatic venous outflow obstruction associated with excessive arterioportal shunting is likely to account for APP of all of our patients. Based on a causal link between angiographic ‘to-and-fro’ flow pattern and the sonographic APP sign in patients with sinusoidal outflow obstruction we suggest, that APP expresses a short, transitional period of portal hypertension just before the occurence of flow reversal.     

门静脉血流动力学改变与肝组织纤维化图像定量分析的相关性研究

目的探讨门静脉血流动力学改变与肝组织病理纤维化图像分析的相关性。方法用彩色多普勒超声测定106例慢性病毒性肝炎患者的门静脉主干内径、血流峰值速度、平均速度及血流量。所有患者均做肝穿刺活检。采用计算机图像分析系统对肝组织标本进行纤维化定量测定,同时根据常用的慢性肝炎分级分期标准对肝纤维化进行分期。结果肝纤维图像定量测定与纤维化病理分期有良好的相关性(r=0.690,P<0.01)。门静脉主干内径、血流峰值速度、平均速度与肝组织纤维化分期及纤维化图像定量分析结果均呈显著性相关(P<0.01),而门静脉血流量则与上述两者均无显著性相关(P>0.01)。结论多普勒超声探查门静脉血流动力学改变可反映肝纤维化的病理进程,对无创性评价慢性肝炎肝纤维化程度有重要意义。     

Changes in splanchnic blood flow in portal hypertensive rats

Abstract. This study was undertaken to assess splanchnic blood flow in rats with portal hypertension induced by portal vein stenosis. Splanchnic blood flow, estimated by the microsphere method, was significantly higher in portal hypertensive rats than in sham-operated rats: 26·5±3·9 (mean ±SD) and 17·5±3·3 ml/min, respectively ( P <0·001). Hepatic blood flow, estimated by the clearance method, was significantly lower in portal hypertensive rats than in sham-operated rats: 12·7±1·1 and 17·3±2·8 ml/min, respectively ( P <0·001). It is concluded that splanchnic blood flow is increased in rats with portal hypertension and that hepatic blood flow is different from splanchnic blood flow in these portal hypertensive rats. It is hypothesized that splanchnic blood flow may also be increased in patients with portal hypertension.     

彩色多普勒超声对门静脉广泛血栓肝移植患者围手术期监测的临床意义:附四例分析

目的探讨术前存在广泛门静脉血栓肝移植患者采用彩色多普勒超声(CDI)进行围手术期监测的临床作用。方法对4例术前存在广泛门静脉血栓肝移植患者于术前、术后进行CDI检查。术后首次CDI检查在移植术后24h内进行,术后第1周和第2周隔天1次,以后每周1～2次;主要监测指标包括门静脉主干最大内径、平均血流速(TAMX)、最大流速(Vmax)、血流频谱、侧支循环。结果 4例病例术前CDI检查发现门静脉主干血流缓慢、整段狭窄、完全堵塞、无血流及门静脉内膜严重病变等情况;并探测到多支侧支循环血流丰富、肠系膜上静脉扩张和无法找到满意的门静脉重建部位。这些情况在手术中证实,并指导了肝移植特殊类型手术中供肝门静脉灌注重建。术后2周隔天进行1次的CDI检查显示4例患者门静脉内径、血流方向及流速都呈现正常,取得较好重建效果和良好的肝功能恢复。结论 CDI对监测肝移植术后门静脉并发症具有较好效果,对术前门静脉系统广泛血栓患者,CDI对指导术者在术前思考手术可能遇到问题、设计和准备应变手术方式具有一定价值。     

Portosystemic collateral shunts originating from the left portal veins in portal hypertension: demonstration by color Doppler flow imaging.

Color Doppler flow imaging was performed in 121 patients with portal hypertension. Portosystemic collateral shunts originating from the left portal veins were seen in 41 of the patients. A single collateral shunt was seen in 27 of these, and multiple collateral shunts were seen in the other 14. Collateral shunts running in the ligamentum teres were seen in 26 of the 41 patients; the veins ran through the liver parenchyma in 25 of these. B-mode ultrasound imaging could not clearly demonstrate vascular structures in 55% of the collateral shunts. Color Doppler flow imaging provided a clear picture of the course of the portosystemic collateral shunts originating from the left portal vein.     

Reverse flow in intrahepatic portal vessels and liver function impairment in cirrhosis

Objectives: Our aim was to describe the hemodynamic patterns and assess the prevalence of reversal of flow (RF) in intrahepatic portal vessels (IPV) in patients with chronic active hepatitis (CAH) and patients with cirrhosis. Patients : 100 consecutive patients with CAH, and 178 consecutive cirrhotic patients (48 Child A, 114 Child B and 38 Child C class) underwent Echo-Color-Doppler for evaluation of flow direction in segmental IPV, right and left portal vein (RPV, LPV), in main portal vein (MPV), splenic vein (SV), superior mesenteric vein (SMV) and porto-systemic shunts (paraumbilical, spleno-renal, left gastric vein). The patients were followed-up clinically for 3–15 months. Results: Patients with CAH showed RF in SV in 1/100 and hepatopetal flow in MPV, SMV, SV, IPV in 99/100 patients. Eleven of 178 (6.2%) cirrhotic patients showed RF only in the SV, 3/178 (1.7%) showed alternating (`back and forth') flow only in IPV, RPV and LPV with continuous hepatopetal flow in PV and 10/178 (5.6%) showed completely RF in IPV. Four of ten patients of this last group showed hepatopetal flow in MPV. The other six patients showed RF in MPV associated with hepatofugal flow through a large left gastric vein in three cases and through the SV in three cases. The other cirrhotic patients (154/178=86.5%) showed hepatopetal flow in IPV, MPV, SMV and SV. In no case RF in SMV was observed. Prevalence of RF in IPV was significantly higher in Child C patients (8/31=25.8%) than Child B patients (5/104=4.7%) and than in Child A patients (0%) (p<0.01). Prevalence of Child C class was significantly higher in patients with RF in IPV (8/13=61.5%) than in patients with RF only in extraepatic portal vessels (2/11=18.2%) and patients without RF (21/154=13.6%) (p<0.001). No patient with RF in IPV was in Child A class. Incidence of death was significantly higher in patients with RF in IPV than in patients without RF and patients with RF only in SV. Conclusions: RF in IPV is not a rare event (9% in our series) that mainly occurs in cirrhosis with advanced liver function impairment.     

Doppler sonographic evaluation of the portal vein: effects of intravenous dodecafluoropentane.

The aim of this study was to determine if the intravascular contrast agent dodecafluoropentane (Phase III Clinical Trial) produces enhancement and facilitates visualization of portal vein and collateral blood flow. Twenty patients with advanced liver disease or an orthotopic liver transplant underwent gray scale, duplex, and color Doppler sonography. Sonograms were obtained prior to and after the randomized administration of a placebo and dodecafluoropentane in a double-blind fashion. Blinded readers independently reviewed all videotapes. Separate comparisons were made between the baseline study and placebo or dodecafluoropentane study for portal vein enhancement, increase in portal vein length or branching, and patency of the portal vein and collaterals. Flow enhancement was seen with dodecafluoropentane in 17 of 20 (85%) cases and with saline solution in zero cases. Improved visualization of the portal vein or collateral length or branching was observed with dodecafluoropentane in 11 of 20 (55%) cases and with saline solution in zero cases. Portal vein or collateral flow was not detected in six baseline studies. In two of six (33%) cases, flow was detected with dodecafluoropentane. Our results show that dodecafluoropentane is capable of enhancing portal vein and collateral flow, can improve visualization of portal vein length and its branches, and may be useful in cases in which portal vein flow cannot be demonstrated by noncontrast sonography.     

门静脉彩色多普勒超声诊断肝硬化的意义

目的：总结门静脉（PV）彩色多普勒（CDFI）超声对诊断肝硬化的意义。方法：运用CDFI超声检查了30例肝硬化患者的PV,并按Puph肝功能分级法进行统计学处理,与正常组30例进行对比分析。结果：PV内CDFI可显示本色、红色、混色或充盈缺损。PW可显示血流速度正常,减低或双向血流。血流速度、血流量随着Puph肝功能分级程度严重而下降,与正常组比较有显著差异（P＜0．05）。脾静脉（SV）内探及类动脉频谱,增厚的阳囊壁内可显示胆囊壁静脉。结论：CDFI检测门静脉不仅能诊断肝硬化,而且能判断肝硬化损害的程度。     

超声检查附脐静脉开放腹壁静脉曲张在门静脉高压临床分型的意义

目的应用彩色多普勒超声对门静脉高压附脐静脉开放和腹壁静脉曲张门腔之间侧支循环进行研究,确定门脉高压分型。方法超声检查86例肝硬化门静脉高压、13例布加综合征及6例门静脉主干、脾静脉血栓3组门静脉高压患者的腹壁静脉曲张门腔之间侧支循环吻合情况及血流方向。结果肝硬化门静脉高压组腹壁静脉曲张在脐以上血流流向头端,而脐以下血流流向腹端。布加综合征合并下腔静脉阻塞组,血流均流向上胸端。门静脉主干、脾静脉血栓未见脐静脉开放及腹壁静脉曲张。结论应用彩色多普勒超声判断附脐静脉开放和腹壁静脉曲张门腔之间侧支循环的情况,可明确血管阻塞部位、程度、范围,为肝前、肝内及肝后门静脉高压分型的诊断提供有效依据,对临床制定合理治疗方案具有指导意义。     

Hepatic hyperplastic nodules showing stains by portal blood flow: hemodynamics revealed by CTAP and CTHA

The hepatic hyperplastic nodule associated with idiopathic portal hypertension is classified as portal blood flow and hepatic arterial blood flow dominant types. These nodular lesions are considered attributable to abnormal blood flow in the liver. We describe a rare case of hepatic hyperplastic nodules showing stains by portal blood flow.     

Combined Rex-bypass shunt with pericardial devascularization alleviated prehepatic portal hypertension caused by cavernomatous transformation of portal vein

Objective: To evaluate the effects of combined Rex-bypass shunt and pericardial devascularization on prehepatic portal hypertension secondary to cavernomatous transformation of portal vein (CTPV).

Methods: Forty-two patients aged from 3 years to 49 years (divided into 3 groups), 26 cases male and 16 female, with prehepatic vascular hepertention were treated with Rex-bypass shunt combined with pericardial devascularization. In each patient, preoperative assessment included ultrasound and computed tomographic angiography of the portal vein and blood analysis. The procedure was Rex-bypass shunt (with or without graft), and patients with moderate or severe gastroesophageal varices required additional paraesophagogastric devascularization. Splenectomy or subtotal splenectomy was performed if combined hypersplenism co-existed. All data were analyzed retrospectively.

Results: No intraoperative death occurred, blood routine analysis improved (P < 0.05), the blood flow velocity (P < 0.05) and diameter (P < 0.05) of the left portal vein (LPV) significantly increased, the esophageal and gastric varices significantly relieved in 34 patients (P < 0.05), and better effects of earlier operations were demonstrated than the delayed ones (P < 0.05). During the period of follow-up from 6 to 64 months, the overall patency rate was 85.7% and the younger the age the better of the effect.

Conclusion: Rex-bypass shunt combined with pericardial devascularization is a safe and effective procedure for prehepatic portal hypertension caused by CTPV.     

门静脉栓塞病变的超声表现及病因分析

目的 观察门静脉栓塞病变（PVE）超声表现,分析其病因。方法 回顾性分析257例经病理、其他影像学检查或临床证实的PVE患者的临床和超声资料,观察栓子超声表现,分析病因、性质及发生部位。结果 PVE超声表现为门静脉系统内异常回声,部分或完全充填管腔;8例栓子内可见搏动性动脉血流信号（8/257,3.11%）,25例（25/257,9.73%）门静脉（PV）呈海绵样变。PVE常见病因依次为为原发性肝癌（173/257,67.31%）、肝硬化（36/257,14.01%）及肝转移癌（30/257,11.67%）。194例（194/257,75.49%）PV癌栓中,原发性肝癌占80.41%（156/194）;血栓63例（63/257,24.51%）,其中肝硬化占57.14%（36/63）。PVE累及部位依次为门静脉主干及分支（254/257,98.83%）、肠系膜上静脉（36/257,14.01%）、脾静脉（30/257,11.67%）、下腔静脉（19/257,7.39%）、肠系膜下静脉（1/257,0.39%）。超声诊断门静脉癌栓的敏感度为4.12%（8/194）。结论 PVE超声表现具有一定特征,但超声鉴别诊断栓子性质敏感度较低;原发性肝癌为PVE的最常见病因。     

慢性肝炎彩色多普勒血流成像与肝功能损害程度相关性研究

目的探讨慢性肝炎门静脉血流动力学改变的超声测值与慢性肝功能损害程度的相关性。方法对60例不同程度慢性乙型肝炎患者和60例对照组进行门静脉血流动力学改变的超声测量（门静脉内径、门静脉截面积、门静脉最大流速和门静脉充血指数）,结果与肝功能损害程度相比较：结果慢性肝炎轻度组,门静脉内径较对照组增宽、截面积增大,但差异无显著性意义（P〉0.05）,中度组、重度组门静脉内径增宽、截面积增大明显,与对照组、轻度组比较,差异有显著意义（P〈0.05）．门静脉最大流速在轻度组略减低,与对照组比较差异无显著意义（P〉0.05）,中度组重度组的门静脉最大流速明显减低,与对照组比较差异有显著性意义（P〈0.01）。CI值随着病情进展逐渐增高,差异有显著性意义（P〈0．05）。结论慢性肝炎患者门静脉血流动力学参数能反映肝脏肝功能损害程度,对慢性肝炎的临床治疗评价有一定的价值。