부산대학교 도서관

Portograms obtained by percutaneous transhepatic portography in 83 patients with various degrees of portal hypertension were analyzed to study the anatomical changes and their functional significance. There were 11 types of porta-systemic shunts. No characteristic patterns of porta-systemic shunts were recognized in any disease. The degree of porta-systemic communication was divided into 5 grades based on portograms (Grade classification). No correlation was found between the grade and portal pressure. The incidences of ascites and hematemesis were high in high grade groups. Frequency of encephalopathy was not correlated with the grade of porta-systemic communication. None of the routine laboratory studies (serum albumine, ammonia, bilirubin, prothrombin time, ICG retention) could predict the presence of the porta-systemic shunt. Extrahepatic shunt index measured by radioactive macroaggregated albumin was useful in assessing the degree of porta-systemic shunt.