Hepatic portal venous gas. A review and report on six new cases

Herbert L. Fred, C. Glen Mayhall, Thomas S. Harle

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

48 Scopus citations

Abstract

Six new cases of hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG) and forty-six previously reported cases are reviewed. Roentgenographically, gas in the intrahepatic ramifications of the portal vein characteristically appears as branching, tubular lucencies extending from the porta hepatis to the edge of the liver. Generally, patients with this sign are critically ill and have intestinal distention, often accompanied by abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea. In most instances HPVG probably results from gas-forming organisms which gain entry into the portal venous system via a disrupted intestinal mucosa. Over 90 per cent of those affected die. Treatment should be directed toward correcting the underlying disorder which usually is intestinal infarction in adults and enterocolitis in infants.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)557-565
Number of pages9
JournalThe American Journal of Medicine
Volume44
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1968
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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