Surgical portosystemic shunts in children: assessment with duplex Doppler US. Work in progress

The patency of 12 surgical portosystemic shunts in 11 children with portal hypertension was assessed with duplex Doppler ultrasonography. Results were compared with surgical, angiographic, and clinical findings. Seven of nine patent shunts were directly seen, and flow in them was assessed. One proximal splenorenal and one mesentericocaval shunt were not directly seen because of intestinal meteorism. The obstructed shunts were not seen, and no flow could be detected at their site. The presence and direction of flow in the splanchnic venous system were determined in all children, obviating the need for further angiographic studies.