Jafarey Na

Idiopathic portal hypertension:an overlooked entity

Abstract Following the criteria laid down by the Japanese Committee on Idiopathic Portal Hypertension (IPH), 89 cases of IPH were diagnosed. Though not confirmed, infections appeared to play some role in its etiology. Major presenting features were haematemesis and anaemia; one third of cases had haemoglobin of less than 7 g/l; hypersplenism was present in 14%. Liver function test were within normal range in the majority of the cases. Long term control of rebleeding was achieved satisfactorily with oral propranolol. Of the shunting procedures, proximal splenorenal shunt showed better results. It is concluded that IPH can be managed well with good long term survival. The diagnosis of IPH as the cause of portal hypertension assures an optimistic prognosis.