Portal hypertension is the most frequent, as well as one of the most dangerous complications of hepatic cirrhosis. Portal blood flow is increasingly diverted to the preformed portosystemic anastomoses. This can lead to reopening and perfusion of the paraumbilical veins, which is called the Cruveilhier-Baumgarten syndrome.Careful sonographic investigation in patients with cirrhosis can demonstrate the presence of Cruveilhier-Baumgarten syndrome in 22% of cases. Only 5% of these patients develop caput medusae. The clinical significance of this syndrome is unclear.Source: Ultraschall-Atlas
