does ultrasound detect portal hypertension?

[me_just34]

2 days ago I did an ultrasound of liver and spleen and the results were normal.
does ultrasound detect portal hypertension? I forgot to ask this to dr.

[me_just34]

my ultrasound was a normal one, not color doppler . not sure if it is sensitive enough.

[Livelife777]

Hi there
Scans can and do show Cirrhosis.  They can see the architecture of the
liver and see if its smooth and OK, or nodular and Cirrhotic.
I should know as my Cirrhosis was unfortunately picked up on a scan, while my bloodwork was normal.

Take Care
....Kim

[me_just34]

i have read from many scientific papers that ultrasound is 50-70 % percent sensitive and cannot detect early cirrhosis.

[Livelife777]

We have missed seeing your posts lately.
Wanted to say that I'm thinking of you and hoping Tx is going well.
Take Care
.....Kim

[Dee1956]

Thank you so much for your great answer.  I was wondering that myself
I just had blood work and sonogram, still waiting for results.

I hope you are doing well.
Thinking of and praying for you my friend :)
Dee

[DADAT47]

Yes, color Doppler ultrasound can detect reversal of flow in the portal vein. With portal hypertension, blood is unable to get through the liver and get back to the heart. The portal vein dilates, flow reversal occurs as blood finds another route. Recanalization of the ligamentum venosum can occur leading to varices near the umbilicus and esophageal varices can develop which can lead to vomiting blood.

[HectorSF]

Yes. Ultrasound can "see" the signs of portal hypertension including an enlarged spleen, dilated veins near the liver such as any abdominal collaterals etc. Of course if someone has cirrhosis so advanced to have portal hypertension the abnormal architecture of the liver itself would be seen including changes in size of lobes and most especially the typical nodular liver itself.

Cirrhosis and portal hypertension is an easy diagnosis as there will be multiple signs visible to the eye and touch. Any good gastro or hepatologist can find it on physical exam. The harden, nodular liver. The enlarged spleen. Spider varices on the skin, any fluid retention and many other of the physical manifestations of cirrhosis and portal hypertension.

I have had multiple doctors assess my cirrhosis over the years even med students have measured the top and bottom of my liver and spleen and detect if I have any ascites at the time. All of these can be confirmed using imaging including ultrasound, CT or MRI.

While early cirrhosis can at times be difficult to determine cirrhosis and portal hypertension is always obvious.

Congratulations you don't have cirrhosis and portal hypertension! Always a good thing. One less thing to think about.
Hector

[me_just34]

I had   CT scan 1.5 years ago which was also normal for liver and spleen.
But I do not have a recent CT scan.