Clinical Research
Copyright ©2005 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Feb 28, 2005; 11(8): 1179-1181
Published online Feb 28, 2005. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v11.i8.1179
An anomaly in persistent right umbilical vein of portal vein diagnosed by ultrasonography
Shigeo Nakanishi, Katsuya Shiraki, Kouji Yamamoto, Mutsumi Koyama, Takeshi Nakano
Shigeo Nakanishi, Katsuya Shiraki, Kouji Yamamoto, Takeshi Nakano, First Department of Internal Medicine, Mie University School of Medicine, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan
Shigeo Nakanishi, Mutsumi Koyama, Matsusaka Central General Hospital of Medicine, Matsusaka, Mie 515-2161, Japan
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Katsuya Shiraki, M.D., Ph.D. First Department of Internal Medicine, 2-174, Edobashi, Tsu, Mie, 514-8507, Japan. katsuyas@clin.medic.mie-u.ac.jp
Telephone: +81-59-231-5015 Fax: +81-59-231-5201
Received: April 10, 2004
Revised: April 12, 2004
Accepted: July 17, 2004
Published online: February 28, 2005
Abstract

AIM: To detect the anomaly in the persistent right umbilical vein (PRUV) of portal vein (PV) with deviation of the ligamentum tere and left-sided gallbladder.

METHODS: A total of 5783 candidates for routine analysis were evaluated for hepatic vascular abnormalities by ultrasonography.

RESULTS: Ten candidates (0.17%) had a portal vein anomaly with a rightward-deviated ligamentum tere. The blood-flow velocity in the PRUV of the portal vein (17.7±3.0 cm/s) of the 10 cases was similar to that of the right anterior portal trunk (17.6±4.1 cm/s). However, the vessel diameter of the PRUV (φ12.4±4.4 mm) was larger than the right anterior portal trunk (j6.1±0.9 mm). Therefore, flow volume in the anomalous portion (0.97±0.30 L/min) was more than that in the right anterior portal trunk (0.18±0.05 L/min).

CONCLUSION: The anomaly plays an important role in intra-hepatic PV flow.

Keywords: PV anomaly; Persistent right umbilical vein; Ultrasonography