Color Doppler sonography of portocaval shunts

Nine patients who had undergone end-to-side portocaval shunts were assessed using a sector real-time color Doppler sonography system. Shunt patency was demonstrated in 8 of 9 patients by detection of color-coded flow within the portal vein, in the anastomotic region, and in the inferior vena cava adjacent to the shunt. Color flow could not be detected in 1 patient. This patient had no evidence of shunt compromise. Spectral Doppler studies were also performed in these patients and flow was demonstrated in all 8. In these instances, information available with color Doppler imaging allowed visualization of the shunt even when it had not been apparent on preliminary real-time grey-scale imaging. This study, which does not assess accuracy, nevertheless suggests that color flow Doppler sonography may prove useful in assessing patients with portocaval shunts.