[Portal hypertension of hepatic origin. A qualitative assessment by color and echo Doppler US].

One hundred and twenty-eight subjects were studied: 103 of them were affected with portal hypertension diagnosed both radiologically and clinically. Twenty-five healthy subjects were studied, as a control group, by means of combined real-time US and color Doppler. US parameters were evaluated, specific to chronic hepatopathy, together with the Doppler qualitative parameters relative to splanchnic vessels hemodynamics. Our results allowed a sort of noninvasive angiogram of the portal system to be obtained, which is to be of use for diagnosing portal hypertension, and for assessing its causes, risks, and consequences. This study was also aimed at suggesting an examination protocol for portal hypertension, employing real-time and color Doppler US, which any radiologist with enough experience in abdominal US could use. Color Doppler, although not strictly necessary to obtain good results, dramatically shortens execution times. Moreover, color Doppler allows the method to be more quickly learned.