Sonography of portosystemic venous collaterals in portal hypertension

Portosystemic venous collaterals were studied with sonography in 40 patients with known portal hypertension. Eight patients had technically inadequate scans, while 32 had optimal scans. Sixty groups of venous collaterals were identified. At least one collateral pathway was seen in 28 patients, for a sensitivity of 88% for the 32 patients with optimal scans and 70% for the total group. The overall sensitivity for detection of coronary-gastroesophageal collaterals was 80% and 64%, respectively. The small size of the coronary-gastroesophageal varices in early portal hypertension seems to be the most important factor limiting detection in patients suitable for sonography.