Early recognition of hepatic portal vein gas on CT with appropriate surgical intervention improves patient survival

Small intestinal Crohn's disease with hepatic portal venous gas: a case report

An 80-year-old man presented in another hospital with acute abdominal pain; computed tomography indicated hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG) and small intestinal thickening. He was then transferred to our hospital, where we diagnosed idiopathic inflammation and stenosis of the ileum. Because the patient’s abdominal symptoms were mild and his general condition was good, we chose to administer conservative therapy. His condition improved and we discharged him from our hospital. However, he was hospitalized again 9 days later because his abdominal pain had recurred and was worse. We performed a laparoscopic partial resection of the ileum 3 weeks after the patients’ initial presentation. Macroscopically, longitudinal ulcers were observed near the stenosis of the ileum; the segment of the small intestine that contained the ulcers was removed, and subsequent pathological findings indicated Crohn’s disease of the small intestine. The post-operative course was favorable, and the patient was discharged on post-operative day 9. Such serendipitous diagnosis of small intestinal Crohn’s disease in an elderly patient with hepatic portal venous gas is rare; to our knowledge, this is the first of such case in which laparoscopic surgery was performed.

Enterovenous fistulization: A rare complication of Crohn’s disease

The presence of hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG) is associated with numerous diseases, and has been regarded as a serious, even catastrophic condition. However, anecdotal reports mention that some patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), who developed HPVG after diagnostic examinations of the colon, were successfully managed with antibiotic therapy and have followed benign courses. In contrast, among IBD patients, the development of HPVG is rarely caused by enterovenous fistula. We describe a 32-year-old man with Crohn’s ileocolitis who presented with hypotension and fever associated with HPVG, as well as superior mesenteric vein thrombosis, possibly caused by enterovenous fistula, who was successfully managed by surgery. We also review the literature concerning portal venous gas associated with Crohn’s disease.

Intermittent hepatic portal vein gas complicating diverticulitis--a case report and literature review

CASE REPORT

This report describes a case of intermittent hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG) because of colonic diverticulitis in a 48-year-old man, who was successfully treated by surgery.

CONCLUSION

Based on an extensive literature search, which produced 21 observations, the etiology, symptoms, imaging features, clinical significance, treatment strategy, and outcome of HPVG because of colonic diverticulitis are evaluated: While observations with an underlying intramesocolic abscess carry a favorable prognosis, the prognosis of observations because of septic thrombophlebitis with gas forming germs is poor.

Portal venous gas and thrombosis in a Chinese patient with fulminant Crohn’s colitis: A case report with literature review

Ever since its earliest reports, portal venous gas (PVG) has been associated with numerous intraabdominal catastrophes and has served as an indication for urgent surgical exploration. It is traditionally regarded to be an ominous finding of impending death, with highest mortality reported in patients with underlying bowel ischemia. Today, computed tomography has demonstrated a wider range of clinical conditions associated with PVG, some of which are ‘benign’ and do not necessarily require surgery, unless when there are signs of intraabdominal catastrophe or systemic toxicity. One of these ‘benign’ conditions is Crohn’s disease. The present report describes a 19-year-old Chinese boy with Crohn’s pancolitis who presented with septic shock associated with PVG and portal vein thrombosis, and was successfully managed surgically. To our knowledge, this is the first report of PVG and portal vein thrombosis associated with Crohn’s disease in a Chinese patient. In addition, we have also reviewed the reports of another 18 Crohn’s patients with PVG previously described in the English literature. Specific predisposing factors for PVG were identified in 8 patients, including barium enema, colonoscopy, blunt abdominal trauma, and enterovenous fistula. The patients who developed PVG following barium enema and blunt trauma were all asymptomatic and no specific treatment was necessary. Eleven patients (58%) who presented with signs of intraabdominal catastrophe or systemic toxicity required either immediate or eventual surgery. The overall mortality rate among the 19 patients was only 11%. The present literature review has shown that the finding of PVG associated with Crohn’s disease does not always mandate surgical intervention. It is the clinical features and the related complications that ultimately determine the treatment approaches. The overall outcome of PVG associated with Crohn’s disease has been favourable.

[Air in the portal venous system: radiologic differential diagnosis and etiology-specific treatment]

Portal venous air is a rare but potentially grave radiologic sign. The routine use of abdominal CT and ultrasound allows the detection of minimal amounts of portal air, often at an asymptomatic stage. The first diagnosis to consider by both frequency and gravity is intestinal necrosis which carries a 75% mortality. And yet there are also benign etiologies of portal venous air, usually asymptomatic, which do not require surgical intervention. The aim of this study is to describe the differential diagnosis of portal venous air and its clinical management.