[Abdominal Doppler sonography in childhood]

With the help of pulsed Doppler sonography and colour coded Doppler sonography noninvasive measurements of blood flow within the abdominal vessels are possible. Cystic and tubular abdominal masses and vascular structures can be differentiated. Laminar and turbulent flow as well as arterial and venous flow can be distinguished. The direction of blood flow can be shown. Regarding liver circulation Doppler sonography of portal hypertension, portal vein thrombosis, veno-occlusive-disease, Budd-Chiari-Syndrome and transplant rejection or other vascular complications after liver transplantation can be shown. The circulation of the spleen should be examined if aneurysms, thrombosis or portal hypertension are suspected. Mesenterial circulation should be investigated in suspected vascular occlusion, arterial stenosis and necrotizing enterocolitis. Renal Doppler sonography is helpful for the diagnosis of renal artery stenosis, arterio-venous fistulas, renal vein thrombosis and acute transplant rejection.