Histological-venographic correlates in portal hypertension

Magnification hepatic wedge venography and manometry were evaluated in 40 patients with portal hypertension and in 6 normal individuals. Venography (alone or in combination with manometry) generally facilitated prediction of histology in cirrhosis, hepato-venular occlusive disease, periportal fibrosis, congenital hepatic fibrosis, and portal vein obstruction. The magnification wedge venograms demonstrated a number of histological features of cirrhosis that have not previously been described in vivo, including porto-hepatic vein shunts, micro- and macronodular regeneration, and obstructive changes which were more severe in hepatic than in portal veins.