Hepatic Infarction Caused by Portal Vein Thrombophlebitis Misdiagnosed as Infiltrative Hepatic Malignancy with Neoplastic Thrombus

Decoding pylephlebitis: Tracing the path of infected thrombosis and liver abscesses

Pylephlebitis, a septic thrombophlebitis of the portal vein, is an uncommon but serious complication following an abdominal site of infection, most frequently diverticulitis or appendicitis. It has a high mortality rate, yet it commonly presents with unspecific abdominal complaints and fever, making diagnosis by clinical and laboratory examinations alone, impossible. This report highlights the extensive computed tomography (CT) findings of pylephlebitis with multiple hepatic abscesses thought to be secondary to diverticulitis, in a patient presenting with septic shock. Radiological characteristics differentiating the liver lesions from malignancy, and showing the ascending pathway of vascular involvement from the inferior mesenteric vein to portal veins is presented, as well as the search for the primary site of infection. Recognizing and understanding the imaging findings in pylephlebitis is crucial for diagnosis and avoiding delay of appropriate treatment for this otherwise often fatal condition.

Infiltrative non-mass-like hepatocellular carcinoma initially presenting with isolated malignant portal vein thrombosis: A case report and review of the literature

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) shows a rising incidence and mortality rates worldwide. HCC is divided into several distinct subtypes, both morphologically and histopathologically. Among these subtypes, infiltrative HCC may be the most challenging subtype to diagnose, given its characteristic myriad of tumor nodules blended with normal hepatocytes without a distinct mass-like lesion. Herein, we report an unusual case of an infiltrative HCC initially presenting with isolated malignant portal vein thrombosis and provide a brief review of the literature regarding the infiltrative HCC subtype. Additionally, we demonstrate how sonoelastography could aid in detecting the appropriate biopsy area in the infiltrative HCC subtype. To our knowledge, there have not been previously reported cases describing the use of sonoelastography in the evaluation of the appropriate area for the targeted liver biopsy.