title: Hepatic portal venous gas--three non-fatal cases and review of the literature.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hepatic portal venous gas is a rare imaging finding most commonly associated with intestinal ischaemia and high mortality. Increased use of advanced imaging techniques has resulted in increased reporting and recognition of hepatic portal venous gas. Advanced imaging can also recognise the many associated pathologies which have variable management strategies and prognoses.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report 3 non-fatal cases and review the pathogenesis, aetiology, diagnosis, management and prognosis of hepatic portal venous gas.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Once considered an indication for urgent surgery, hepatic portal venous gas is a rare imaging finding. More recently, HPVG has been recognised to be associated with various benign causes many of which may be treated non-operatively. However, intestinal ischaemia remains the most common cause and the most important to exclude. CT is the diagnostic modality of choice. The underlying cause determines the treatment strategy and outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Mater Infirmorum Hospital, 47-51 Crumlin Road BT14 6AB. kevinmcelvanna@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: McElvanna
authors.forename: Alastair
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Diamond
mesh_terms: D018784:Abdominal Abscess / Q000150:complications; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic; D004238:Diverticulitis / Q000150:complications; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006406:Hematoma / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019512:Pancreatitis, Alcoholic / Q000150:complications; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011859:Radiography; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000150:complications