Ultrasonography in non-cirrhotic portal hypertension: correlation with splenoportography

Real time sonography followed by splenoportography was performed in 38 cases with non-cirrhotic portal hypertension. Eleven of these cases, in whom porto-systemic shunt surgery was done, were also evaluated by real time sonography post-operatively. The ultrasound findings correlated well in 37 cases (98%) with splenoportography. All the post-operative cases also revealed a patent portosystemic shunt on sonography. Ultrasonography, a valuable, non-invasive, initial investigation of portal hypertension, may thus be used as the only investigation to distinguish intra- from extra-hepatic obstruction and to evaluate patency of surgically created porto-systemic shunts. Invasive portography may be performed only if surgical treatment is anticipated.