title: Sonographic detection of transient gas in the portal vein in an infant following abdominal surgery: a possible sign of adhesive small bowel obstruction.
abstract: We present a case of sonographically detected transient gas in the portal vein in a 4.5-month-old infant who had a history of two consecutive jejunectomies due to jejunal stenoses and was admitted to our hospital with clinical and laboratory findings consistent with a subacute small bowel obstruction and dehydration. Sonography excluded other pathologies and the patient was treated conservatively with success. The presence of gas in the portal vein could be a sign of an underlying mechanical obstacle, as another episode of small bowel obstruction 1 month later required surgical treatment of adhesive intestinal obstruction.
authors.affiliation: 1st Department of Radiology, Venizelio General Hospital, Knossos Avenue, 71409 Heraklion, Crete, Greece. ioannatritou@yahoo.gr
authors.forename: Ioanna
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tritou
authors.forename: Stylianos
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Megremis
authors.forename: Evangelia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stefanaki
authors.forename: Michalis
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Goumenakis
authors.forename: Evangelia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sfakianaki
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007077:Ileal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D007223:Infant; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal / Q000379:methods; D007579:Jejunal Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D007583:Jejunum / Q000601:surgery; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler / Q000379:methods*