Sometimes, there is increased blood pressure within the portal vein or the minor vessels that drain into it. This is known as portal hypertension. Usually, this condition arises as a consequence of liver disease such as liver cirrhosis.
CAUSES
- Liver cirrhosis which often occurs as result of chronic alcoholism.
- A tumor compressing the portal vein.
- Arsenic poisoning.
- Blood clots in the portal vein.
- Blood clots in the hepatic veins.
- Blood clots in the inferior vena cava.
- Congenital absence of the portal vein.
- Alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency.
- Problems with the bile ducts.
SYMPTOMS
The patient may notice a few or more of the following indications:
*Swelling of the abdomen.
- Abdominal pain.
- Fever.
- Weight gain.
- Blood in the stools. Stools may be black or tarry in appearance.
- Vomiting blood.
- Mental confusion.
- Lethargy.
- Forgetfulness.
- Swelling of the legs.
DIAGNOSIS
The process of diagnosis could involve the following steps:
- Physical examination.
- Medical history.
- Blood tests.
- Fecal occult blood tests.
- Ultrasound imaging.
- Computerised tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.
- Gastrointestinal endoscopy.
- Hepatic venography.
- Liver biopsy.
TREATMENT
- Lifestyle Modifications
- Sclerotherapy or variceal ligation
- Nonsurgical Transjugular Intrahepatic Portal-Systemic Shunt (TIPSS)- This procedure is performed to control acute bleeding.