Correlation of Portal Vein Size with Esophageal Varices Severity in Patients with Cirrhosis of Liver with Portal Hypertension

This study was conducted to correlate the portal vein diameter measured by ultrasound to development of oesophageal varices in patients with cirrhosis of liver with portal hypertension. 92 patients with cirrhosis admitted in OGH were selected for the study USG was conducted in all patients to note portal vein size and splenic size. Upper GI endoscopy was done to detect presence of varices with different grades. In this study 65 patients had varices. Out of 65 patients 30 had large varices (Grade III & IV) of 65 patients, 53 patients with varices have portal vein diameter > 13 mm patients, with small varices and those without varices portal vein diameter is < 12 mm. The difference was statistically significant (p value < 0.001). Average spleen size (p value < 0.001). Platelet count (p value < 0.001) were also significant in those with varices. There was a positive correlation between grading of Oesophageal varices and portal vein size. The study concludes that width of portal veins on USG examination is indirect indicator of portal pressure which is responsible for development of varices. USG examination is simple, inexpensive accurate noninvasive technique which enables to carry UGI endoscopy in selected group of patients avoiding unnecessary intervention and at the same time not missing the patient at risk of bleeding.