Inter-observer variability of portal hemodynamics measured by Doppler ultrasound on three different locations of portal vein
✍ Scribed by Tai, Dar-In; Chuah, Seng-Kee; Chen, Chien-Lin; Lo, Sing Kai; Changchien, Chi-sin; Li, Ing-Tzu
- Publisher
- John Wiley and Sons
- Year
- 1996
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 610 KB
- Volume
- 24
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0091-2751
No coin nor oath required. For personal study only.
✦ Synopsis
Doppler ultrasound is a noninvasive modality for portal hemodynamic study. However, inter-observer variability has been observed. This study has investigated ways to produce less inter-observer variability. Doppler ultrasound portal vein hemodynamic studies were carried out by three well-trained specialists on 20 healthy hospital staff members. The intra-hepatic, first branch, right portal vein, the hilar portal vein, and the extra-hepatic portal vein were chosen for study. With respect to the diameter of portal veins, a significant inter-observer variability was found for the first branch right portal vein and the extra-hepatic portal vein, but not for the hilar portal vein. For maximal portal vein velocity studies, inter-observer variability was not found a t any location. A significant failure rate was noted for the measurement of extrahepatic portal vein velocity. Only 8 volunteers had complete data from all of the three investigators. A significant variability was also noted for the average velocity of extrahepatic portal vein. We conclude that Doppler ultrasound hemodynamic studies of the hilar portal vein has the most acceptable inter-observer variability and thus should be used for longitudinal portal hemodynamic studies.