J Korean Soc Med Ultrasound.  2000 Dec;19(4):295-300.

The Value of Ultrasonography in the Diagnosis of Portal Vein Thrombosis by Umbilical Venous Catheterization

• Lee KK
• Kim YT
• Kim IY

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate the usefulness of ultrasonography for diagnosis of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) associated with the umbilical venous cathterization (UVC).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We reviewed the abnormal ultrasonography of 54 patients with UVC. We observed e-chogenic thrombus in the portal vein by ultrasonography which has a 5-10 MHz linear transducer. We evaluated the frequency of PVT, the relationship between PVT and duration of UVC, and the location of catheter tip (Group I (n = 41): above the diaphragm, Group II (n = 9): between the diaphragm and the liver, Group III (n = 4): below the liver), the location of thrombus on US, and the change of PVT on the follow-up ultrasonography.
RESULTS
PVT was identified in the 7 neonates (13%) among the 54 neonates with UVC. The frequency of PVT was 5% on group I, 45% on group II and 25% on group III. The 6 cases among the 7 cases(86%) of PVT were localized to the umbilical portion of the left portal vein, and there were completely resolved (n= 4) or regressed (n = 1) on the follow-up ultrasonography(n = 5). Ramaining one case of PVT was located in the right, left, and main portal veins with collateral formation, and cavernous transformation occured on the follow-up.
CONCLUSION
Most PVTs by UVC are localized to the umbilical portion of left portal vein. Ultrasonography is a useful modality to diagnose PVT by UVC.

MeSH Terms

Catheterization*
Catheters*
Diagnosis*
Diaphragm
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Liver
Portal Vein*
Thrombosis
Transducers
Ultrasonography*
Umbilical Veins
Venous Thrombosis*