Abstract
By using transesophageal real-time two-dimensional Doppler echography the azygos vein, intercostal vein and the esophageal varices were investigated in 19 patients. Most of them had some varices in the esophagus. The azygos vein was visualized from the upper esophagus in all the patients. Color flow mapping was possible in 17 out of the 19 patients. In the remaining two patients, whose azygos vein had been ligated and divided at previous operation, the azygos vein was visualized however it could not be visualized in color. By using the fast Fourier transform, both the flow patterns and the flow velocity were analyzed in fifteen patients. The flow pattern was pulsatile in thirteen patients. Two periords of peak flow were detectable in each systolic and diastolic phase. A constant flow pattern was observed in two patients. The mean value of maximal velocity was 57±20cm/sec. Both the esophageal varices and the intercostal vein were visualized in color in 9 patients. This half-invasive method seems very useful for the evaluation of hemodynamics of the azygos-and variceal venous flow.
