Ultrasonography.  2016 Jan;35(1):3-12. 10.14366/usg.15020.

Altered Doppler flow patterns in cirrhosis patients: an overview

• Iranpour P
• Lall C
• Houshyar R
• Helmy M
• Yang A
• Choi JI
• Ward G
• Goodwin SC

• KMID: 2382014
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14366/usg.15020

Abstract

Doppler ultrasonography of the hepatic vasculature is an integral part of evaluating precirrhotic and cirrhotic patients. While the reversal of the portal venous flow is a well-recognized phenomenon, other flow patterns, although not as easily understood, may play an important role in assessing the disease status. This article discusses the different characteristic flow patterns observed from the portal vein, hepatic artery, and hepatic vein in patients with liver cirrhosis or related complications and procedures. Knowledge of these different flow patterns provides additional information that may reinforce the diagnosis of cirrhosis, help in staging, and offer prognostic information for determining the direction of therapy. Doppler ultrasonography is invaluable when liver transplantation is being considered and aids in the diagnosis of cirrhosis and portal hypertension.

Keyword

Liver cirrhosis; Hypertension, portal; Ultrasonography, Doppler, color

MeSH Terms

Diagnosis
Fibrosis*
Hepatic Artery
Hepatic Veins
Humans
Hypertension, Portal
Liver Cirrhosis
Liver Transplantation
Portal Vein
Ultrasonography, Doppler
Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color