Splenic vein thrombosis echocardiography and ultrasound

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] ; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Vindhya BellamKonda, M.B.B.S [2]

Overview

There are no echocardiography findings associated with splenic vein thrombosis. Ultrasound is the best initial test for diagnosing splenic vein thrombosis, accuracy may be limited by body size or location of veins.

Echocardiographic findings

There are no echocardiography findings associated with splenic vein thrombosis

Ultrasound findings

Ultrasound is the best initial test for diagnosing splenic vein thrombosis, accuracy may be limited by body size or location of veins.^[1]

Endoscopic ultrasound appears to be a more accurate test than transabdominal ultrasound for assessing patency of the splenic vein. Because endoscopic ultrasound is a sensitive imaging tool for assessing small pancreatic cancers and determining vascular invasion, it should be considered when other tests have failed to confirm splenic vein thrombosis as a cause of bleeding gastric or gastroesophageal varices.

It should also be considered in cases of splenic vein thrombosis occurring without a history of chronic pancreatitis to evaluate pancreatic carcinoma as a potential cause of splenic vein thrombosis.

References

Overview