Title: Congestion Index of Portal Vein in the Evaluation of Liver Disease

Authors: Dr Anup Chakravarthy J, Dr Suny Thomas, Dr Mohanan K., Dr Paul V. Puthussery, Dr Resmi S., Dr Raini K.P.

 DOI:  https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v5i5.229

Abstract

 Introduction: The invention of Doppler has made it possible to study the hemodynamics of blood flow in the human body. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), chronic viral hepatitis and alcoholic liver cirrhosis are three most common disorders affecting the liver. In our study congestion index of portal vein was studied in normal subjects as well as in these three groups of patients.

Aim of the study:  To evaluate the efficacy of congestion index to distinguish normal subjects from those with Non-alcoholic Fatty liver disease, Alcoholic chronic liver disease and Chronic Viral Hepatitis.

Materials and Methods: A descriptive comparative study was done in Government Medical College, Thrissur for a period of eleven months and 401 subjects were studied. Sampling was done by Purposive sampling of patients attending the Ultrasound OPD in department of Radiodiagnosis and Medicine OPD. Patients diagnosed to have Chronic Viral Hepatitis (CVH), Chronic alcoholic liver disease, Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and Normal subjects were included in the study.

Results and Discussion: The median congestion index was calculated. The values are as follows. In normal subjects-0.021, NAFLD patients-0.027, CVH patients-0.050 and Alcoholic cirrhotic patients-0.060. There is significant difference in congestion index between the different population groups studied & hence it can be used to indicate the presence of liver disease. There is significant difference in the congestion index between pediatric and adult patients affected with NAFLD, with pediatric patients having lower values of congestion indices indicative of less severe disease. There is no significant difference in the congestion index of different age groups studied in the normal population.

Conclusion: Congestion index shows promise in distinguishing normal subjects from patients with liver disease. Doppler can be used in clinical settings as an alternative test to Liver biopsy to detect the presence or absence of liver disease when the biochemical and serological markers of liver disease are ambiguous or could not be done.

Keywords: congestion index, NAFLD, Alcoholic Cirrhosis, Chronic viral hepatitis

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Corresponding Author

Dr Suny Thomas

Additional Professor of Radiodiagnosis,

Government Medical College, Thrissur

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