The value of Doppler sonography in the detection of major vessel thrombosis in the neonatal abdomen

Abstract

Duplex spectral or color Doppler sonography demonstrated major abdominal vessel blocks affecting 18 vessels in 16 infants aged between 23 and 56 weeks postconceptional age. The portal vein was affected in 8 infants, the renal vein in 3, the renal vein and inferior vena cava in 1, the renal artery in 1, the inferior vena cava and hepatic vein in 1, and the aorta in 2 infants. Doppler sonography confirmed the grey-scale findings and often demonstrated the extent of vascular flow, providing functional information not available from the grey-scale scan. It facilitated the follow-up of thrombosis during therapy. Most important of all, in many instances it enabled a rapid and reliable specific diagnosis often not possible on the grey-scale study alone and hence altered patient management.

Thrombosis in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

“…Spontaneous regression of neonatal PVT may occur, 64,65 and recanalization occurs more frequently in cases with partial thrombi (70%-77%) than in cases with occlusive thrombi (31%-48%) 26,66 with a mean time of resolution of 63 days (2-626 days; median 25 days). 66 The major concern with neonatal PVT is the development of portal hypertension, although this long-term complication is uncommon, especially if the thrombus remains in the left portal vein and does not propagate into the main or right portal vein (Box 6).…”

Research Study on Portal Vein Thrombosis in Neonates

“…Most portal vein thromboses are not identified because they rarely cause symptoms [3]. This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of Colour Doppler Ultrasonography as a secure, non-invasive, and reasonably priced technology to identify thrombus early and prevent any long-term consequences [4,5].…”

Portal vein thrombosis following umbilical vein catheterization in neonates

“…Majority of the portal vein thrombosis go unnoticed as they rarely become symptomatic [3]. This study was done to assess the utility of Color Doppler Ultrasonography as a safe, non invasive, and a relatively non expensive method to detect thrombus at an early to avoid probable long term sequelae [4,5]. Eligibility Criteria: Babies with umbilical vein catheter in situ for> 6 hours duration.…”