ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical value of color Doppler ultrasound in diagnosing prehepatic portal hypertension. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed to analyze the results of color Doppler ultrasonography in 9 patients with prehepatic portal hypertension diagnosed between June 2012 and January 2015, including vessel diameter, shape, nature and direction of blood flow, and fistula blood flow spectrum. ResultsAmong the 9 patients, the color Doppler ultrasound found 3 patients with regional portal widened, increased and faster blood flow with the emergence of low-impedance spectrum artery, splenic vein widened with returning blocked and flocculent substance within the splenic vein lumen, irregular or streak-shaped low weak echo during splenic vein reduction, and unstable or weakened blood flow velocity. Two patients were confirmed with splenic vein thrombosis by ultrasound and other imaging methods with significantly reduced blood in splenic vein. For the other four patients with regional portal hypertension, obvious abnormalities in portal system were not detected by color Doppler ultrasound, but they were checked with other methods. The ultrasound positive diagnosis of the 9 patients was 5, with 4 missed. ConclusionThe color Doppler ultrasound has some values in screening, diagnosis and follow-up of prehepatic portal hypertension, but it can also be influenced by many factors with a high missed diagnosis rate. Carefully observing the portal system lumen structure, internal echo and blood flow combined with other imaging studies, and emphasizing clinical history of the patients can further improve diagnostic accuracy.