A case of portal venous gas after extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy and obstructive pyelonephritis.
The presence of gas in the portal venous system is considered an ominous sign often mandating immediate exploratory laparotomy; however, there are numerous reports of benign incidences of this finding. This report describes a case of portal venous gas after extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy. The patient had the rare complication of obstructive pyleonephritis that progressed to sepsis and subsequently underwent a negative exploratory laparotomy. It is suggested that the radiographic finding of portal venous gas should be correlated with the likely cause and overall clinical picture.
Rana
Abbas A
AA
Department of Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York 10032, USA. aar2107@columbia.edu
Sylla
Patricia
P
Woodland
David C
DC
Feingold
Daniel L
DL
D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008096:Lithotripsy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011169:Portal Vein; D011704:Pyelonephritis / Q000150:complications*