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Portal Hypertension
Medical Questions » Portal Hypertension
| Name: Portal Hypertension |
| Also known as: |
| An increase in the blood pressure in the portal veins of the abdomen that take nutrition from the intestine to the liver. |
Causes of Portal Hypertension
Many different liver diseases (eg. cirrhosis), a blood clot (thrombosis) in the portal vein or spleen, and schistosomiasis may be responsible. |
Symptoms of Portal Hypertension
No symptoms other than piles until severe bleeding occurs from massively dilated veins around the lower oesophagus (gullet) and in the stomach. |
Tests for Portal Hypertension
Angiography (X-rays of arteries) of portal veins in the abdomen diagnostic. Liver biopsy and blood tests may be abnormal if liver disease is responsible for the problem. Gastroscopy shows enlarged veins in oesophagus and stomach. |
Treatment for Portal Hypertension
Surgery to bypass any blockage in the veins or liver. The spleen may be removed if veins in this organ are thrombosed.
|
Complications of Portal Hypertension of its treatment
Torrential internal bleeding into the stomach may be fatal. |
Likely Outcome of Portal Hypertension
Depends on cause, but often poor. |
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