Cruveilhier-Baugarten syndrome: sonographic aspects

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this paper is to analyze the sonographic changes that characterize the Cruveilhier-Baumgarten syndrome and its clinical charactheristics. CruveilhierBaumgartem syndrome is characterized by a prominent paraumbilical vein, with dilatated superficial veins of the abdominal wall radiating from the umbilicus of patients with chronic liver disease and portal hypertension. Patients and methods: In a sonographic evaluation of 60 patients diagnosed with chronic liver disease with portal hypertension we found 4 cases of Cruveilhier-Baumgarten syndrome, which we studied with color doppler sonography. Results: All patients were male, in their third decade of life, with a clinical history of splenomegaly and varicose abdominal wall veins. Patients had schistosomiasis and micronodular cirrhosis on hystopathological examination. We also evaluated two patients with esophageal varices without hemathemesis. All patients had ultrasound signs of splenomegaly and chronic liver disease, with hepatopetal flow in all segments of the portal vein and hepatofugal flow in the efferent veins of the liver (paraumbilical vein in the falciform ligament and the anterior abdominal wall surface veins). Conclusion: CBS is charactherized by the association of signs of chronic liver damage with splenomegaly, distention of paraumbilical veins (portal hypertension) and blood flow towards the superficial abdominal wall veins, which are Cruveilhier-Baugarten syndrome: sonographic aspects Joao Paulo Kawaoka Matushita1, Jose de Laurentys-Medeiros2, Julieta Sebastiao Matushita3, Cristina Sebastiao Matushita4, Joao Paulo Kawaoka Matushita Jr.5 1 Professor Associado da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Medico Radiologista, CDI Dr. Matsushita Ltda. Belo Horizonte, MG – Brasil. 2 Professor Titular de Semiologia Medica da Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas de Belo Horizonte. Belo Horizonte, MG – Brasil. 3 Medica Radiologista. CDI Dr. Matsushita Ltda. Belo Horizonte, MG – Brasil. 4 Medica Nuclear. CDI Dr. Matsushita Ltda. Belo Horizonte, MG – Brasil. 5 Medico. Mestrando em Radiologia e Diagnostico por Imagem da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro-FM-UFRJ. Rio de Janeiro, RJ – Brasil. Sindrome de Cruveilhier-Baumgarten: aspectos ultrassonograficos DOI: 10.5935/2238-3182.20130010