[Duplex ultrasonography of the portal circulation before and after sclerotherapy of esophageal varices].
Authors examined 40 patients suffered from portal hypertension before and after sclerotherapy of esophageal varices with duplex ultrasonography. The patients were divided into four groups: the first and recurrently bleeding patients and those who were treated with propranolol. The average velocity of the main portal vein before the treatment was significantly lower in the patient group, than in the normal control group. There were no significant changes observed after treatment. The portal blood flow increased in the first bleeding patients who did not take propranolol. The diameter of the main portal vein increased in the recurrently bleeding patients. The conclusion is, that the duplex ultrasonography of the portal circulation is a valuable noninvasive method. One has to take into consideration the limits of this technique and further data are needed for the diagnostic and prognostic accuracy.