Finding hepatic portal venous gas in an adult patient: its significance

Gan HN, Tan KY, Chong CK, Tay KH
Correspondence: Dr Tan Kok Yang, kok_yang_tan@cgh.com.sg

ABSTRACT
Portal venous gas is a well-established radiological finding in neonates. With the advancement in diagnostic imaging, more cases are being reported in adults. We present a 55-year-old man with radiological findings of both portal venous gas and pneumatosis intestinalis secondary to ischaemic necrotising enterocolitis, with subsequent fatality. The significance of finding portal venous gas and its possible aetiology is discussed.

Keywords: bowel ischaemia, computed tomography, hepatic portal venous gas, ischaemic necrotising colitis, pneumatosis intestinalis, portal venous gas
Singapore Med J 2006; 47(9): 814-816