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[Ultrasonographic examination of the circulation in the hepatic vein in diffuse liver diseases]
1Szent János Kórház IV. Belgyógyászati Osztály.
Insights
Doppler-sonography of the hepatic vein can detect liver disease. A flat flow spectrum (Type 3) indicates cirrhosis with high accuracy, aiding clinical diagnosis of diffuse liver lesions.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Hepatology
- Vascular Ultrasound
Background:
- Diffuse liver lesions require accurate diagnostic methods.
- Hepatic vein circulation patterns can reflect liver health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of hepatic vein Doppler-sonography in diagnosing diffuse liver lesions.
- To characterize hepatic vein flow spectra in healthy individuals and patients with liver disease.
Main Methods:
- Duplex ultrasound examination of hepatic vein circulation in 59 patients with diffuse liver lesions and 28 healthy controls.
- Classification of hepatic vein time-velocity spectra into three types: normal (triphasic), decreased/deformed amplitudes, and flat flow.
- Comparison with main portal vein circulation velocities.
Main Results:
- Healthy individuals exclusively showed normal (triphasic) spectra (Type 1).
- Type 2 spectra were observed in steatosis, chronic active hepatitis, and cirrhosis.
- Type 3 (flat flow) spectra demonstrated 71% sensitivity and 100% specificity for cirrhosis.
- Portal vein velocity measurements showed 88% sensitivity and 94% specificity when compared.
Conclusions:
- Hepatic vein Doppler-sonography is a simple technique providing significant additional information for diffuse liver lesion assessment.
- The flat flow spectrum is a highly specific indicator of liver cirrhosis.
- This method complements existing clinical analyses for liver disease diagnosis.
Unlabelled:
59 patients suffering from diffuse liver lesion and 28 healthy individuals had undergone duplex ultrasound examination of the hepatic vein circulation. Three time-velocity spectra had been noticed and later divided into three groups: 1. Normal (triphasic) spectrum. 2. Decreased and deformed amplitudes. 3. Flat flow spectrum.
Results:
The control group matched the normal (triphasic) spectrum of type 1 without exception. Type 2 could be observed in steatosis, chronic active hepatitis and cirrhosis alike. The type 3 spectrum was shown significantly, to occur with 71% sensitivity and with 100% specificity in cirrhosis of the liver. The comparison of the results with the circulation velocities measured in the main portal vein showed a sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 94%. Based on this initial experience, authors hold the view that a technically simple hepatic vein Doppler-sonography can complete the clinical analysis with significant additional information in cases of diffuse liver lesion.