Collateral pathways in portal hypertension.

In a retrospective study angiographic image material of percutaneous direct portographies carried out in 43 patients was evaluated according to anatomic and radiologic criteria. These examinations were performed for therapeutic purposes (embolisation of vessels supplying varices). All the hepatofugally perfused veins were analyzed according to their localisation and course. Apart from the known portocaval collateral pathways a number of other collaterals not yet described could be documented by means of angiography.