Hepatic portal venous gas in combination with pneumatosis intestinalis based on small-bowel ischemia: a case-report
A 76-year-old man presented with complaints of abdominal pain and vomiting. An urgent CT scan showed pneumatosis intestinalis of the small intestine with air in the portal vein and the portal venules of the left hepatic lobe.
Hepatic portal venous gas is a rare radiological finding: gas is found in the portal venous branches. This can be seen in both benign and life-threatening conditions. In most cases, it is accompanied by underlying intestinal ischemia, which was also the case in this patient.
The patient underwent urgent surgery with a partial resection of the small intestine. After a brief admission to the intensive care unit, the man recovered well and was able to leave the hospital in good health.