No abstract

Portal hypertension is a result of an increase in intrahepatic resistance in the main portal vein. The Meso-Rex shunt is used to bypass the obstructed portal vein and restore the venous flow into the liver. This procedure alleviates the need for a hepatic transplant. The Meso-Rex shunt has proven to be an effective treatment for extrahepatic portal vein obstruction, thus saving children from a complete transplant. There are variants to this bypass surgery, and sonography is commonly used to assess the condition pre- and postoperatively. In this case, the shunt was uniquely different from the typical Meso-Rex bypass surgery. Particular vasculature made it imperative for the sonographer to review the prior sonograms and review the chart information before preforming the examination. It should also be noted that sonographers must adapt the protocols to give the utmost treatment.