What Is Portal Hypertension?
An In-Depth Look at Portal Hypertension
Portal Hypertension (PH) is an increase in the pressure within the portal venous system. The portal venous system is a network of veins that carry blood from the digestive organs to the liver. The most common cause of PH is cirrhosis of the liver. Cirrhosis is an advanced stage of liver scarring called fibrosis. This impedes the liver’s ability to function. PH caused by cirrhosis can often lead to the restored patency of a certain ligament of the liver called the Ligamentum Teres. This condition is referred to as a recanalized umbilical vein.
Case Study
The presented case study states a history of cirrhosis for the past two years. A recanalized umbilical vein is noted on the sonogram. These findings point to a diagnosis of PH.
What is Portal Hypertension?
PH is usually caused by liver damage that blocks the liver’s blood vessels making normal blood flow impossible. Increased pressure within the portal venous system …show more content…
5 Alcohol is a hepatotoxin (liver toxin) that induces metabolic changes that damage liver cells. 1 “75% of deaths attributable to alcoholism are caused by cirrhosis.” 1
Clinical findings of cirrhosis include weakness, fatigue, weight loss, abdominal pain, and ascites. 4 It can also be asymptomatic.
Sonographically, a cirrhotic liver demonstrates increased parenchymal echogenicity, an irregular nodular contour, and enlargement of the caudate lobe. Portal vein wall margins may be difficult to distinguish. 4 Splenomegaly (an enlarged spleen) may also be present. It is important to note that sonographic features of cirrhosis vary during the disease’s progression. Initially, in the early stages of cirrhosis, the liver becomes enlarged. As the disease progresses, however, hepatic atrophy occurs. Because of this, the cirrhotic liver varies in appearance overtime.
What is a Recanalized Umbilical
Portal Hypertension (PH) is an increase in the pressure within the portal venous system. The portal venous system is a network of veins that carry blood from the digestive organs to the liver. The most common cause of PH is cirrhosis of the liver. Cirrhosis is an advanced stage of liver scarring called fibrosis. This impedes the liver’s ability to function. PH caused by cirrhosis can often lead to the restored patency of a certain ligament of the liver called the Ligamentum Teres. This condition is referred to as a recanalized umbilical vein.
Case Study
The presented case study states a history of cirrhosis for the past two years. A recanalized umbilical vein is noted on the sonogram. These findings point to a diagnosis of PH.
What is Portal Hypertension?
PH is usually caused by liver damage that blocks the liver’s blood vessels making normal blood flow impossible. Increased pressure within the portal venous system …show more content…
5 Alcohol is a hepatotoxin (liver toxin) that induces metabolic changes that damage liver cells. 1 “75% of deaths attributable to alcoholism are caused by cirrhosis.” 1
Clinical findings of cirrhosis include weakness, fatigue, weight loss, abdominal pain, and ascites. 4 It can also be asymptomatic.
Sonographically, a cirrhotic liver demonstrates increased parenchymal echogenicity, an irregular nodular contour, and enlargement of the caudate lobe. Portal vein wall margins may be difficult to distinguish. 4 Splenomegaly (an enlarged spleen) may also be present. It is important to note that sonographic features of cirrhosis vary during the disease’s progression. Initially, in the early stages of cirrhosis, the liver becomes enlarged. As the disease progresses, however, hepatic atrophy occurs. Because of this, the cirrhotic liver varies in appearance overtime.
What is a Recanalized Umbilical