Caput medusae
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| Caput medusae | |
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| File:Caput medusae CT ax 002.jpg
Axial CT showing portosystemic collateral circulation via the umbilical vein: caput medusae in liver cirrhosis
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| Classification and external resources | |
| Specialty | Lua error in Module:Wikidata at line 446: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). |
| ICD-10 | I86.8 (ILDS I86.820) |
| Patient UK | Caput medusae |
For the cactus see Astrophytum caput-medusae
Caput medusae, also known as palm tree sign, is the appearance of distended and engorged superficial epigastric veins, which are seen radiating from the umbilicus across the abdomen. The name caput medusae (Latin for "head of Medusa") originates from the apparent similarity to Medusa's head, which had venomous snakes in place of hair. It is also a syndrome of portal hypertension. It is caused by the paraumbilical veins, which carries oxygenated blood from mother to fetus in utero and normally closes within one week of birth, becoming re-canalised due to portal hypertension caused by liver failure.
Contents
Differential diagnosis
Inferior vena cava obstruction
- Produces abdominal collateral veins to bypass the blocked inferior vena cava and permit venous return from the legs.
How to differentiate
Determine the direction of flow in the veins below the umbilicus. After pushing down on the prominent vein, blood will:
- flow toward the legs -> Caput Medusae
- flow toward the head-> Inferior Vena cava obstruction .
