PERCUTANEOUS TRANS-HEPATIC PORTOGRAPHY .2. COMPARISON WITH SPLENOPORTOGRAPHY IN PORTAL-HYPERTENSION

Percutaneous transhepatic portography and splenoportography were compared in 67 patients with portal hypertension. Portograms were evaluated without knowledge of the identity of patients. Factors evaluated included: technical success of the examination; visualization of the portal vein, splenic vein, and other tributaries; contrast medium density, portal blood flow direction; presence and type of collaterals and varices; and liver size and configuration. Percutaneous transhepatic portography proved superior with regard to delineation of the portal venous system and esophageal varices. A definite diagnosis of portal vein thrombosis was possible only with the transhepatic approach.