Color Doppler sonography of the gastroepiploic vein.

The gastroepiploic vein (GEV) may serve as a collateral circulation associated with splenic vein thrombosis. Despite the extensive literature on its computed tomographic and angiographic findings, there is no description of color Doppler findings of the GEV. We report scanning techniques for observing its entire course. When examining patients with pancreatic disease, familiarity with these color Doppler findings could help in the detection of not only splenic vein thrombus but also the GEV and may contribute to patient management.