Gas in the hepatic portal venous system. A diagnostic clue to an occult intra-abdominal abscess.
Gas within the hepatic venous system on abdominal roentgenogram prompted exploratory laparotomy in a patient with repeated rigors and high fever following total hip replacement. Although the patient had no localizing abdominal symptoms or signs, an intra-abdominal abscess was found and cured by surgical drainage and antibiotics. Occult, life-threatening, but treatable abdominal disease may be detected by the unusual roentgenographic finding of portal venous gas.
D000038:Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005740:Gases; D006801:Humans; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011860:Radiography, Abdominal
D005740:Gases