title: Extensive calcifications in portal venous system in a patient with hepatocarcinoma.
abstract: Calcification of the portal venous system is a rare entity that can be incidentally discovered during computed tomography (CT). We describe a case of extensive calcifications in the portal venous system in a middle-aged male patient with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This patient presented with epigastric pain that had no obvious origin prior to admission. Laboratory examinations were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen and α-fetoprotein, and severe esophageal and gastric varices were detected during gastroscopy. Abdominal X-ray plain film showed well-defined linear and track-like calcification, with irregular margins directed along the course of the portal venous system. CT revealed extensive calcifications along the course of the portal, splenic, superior mesenteric and gastroesophageal veins. He underwent splenectomy 22 years ago due to splenomegaly and partial hepatectomy seven months before because of HCC of low-grade differentiation, confirmed by pathology. Finally, the patient was diagnosed with postoperative recurrent HCC and extensive portal venous system calcification after selective hepatic angiography under digital subtraction angiography.
authors.affiliation: Cheng-En Wang, Cheng-Jian Sun, Shuai Huang, Yan-Hua Wang, Ling-Ling Xie, Department of Interventional Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, Shandong Province, China.
authors.forename: Cheng-En
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Cheng-En Wang, Cheng-Jian Sun, Shuai Huang, Yan-Hua Wang, Ling-Ling Xie, Department of Interventional Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, Shandong Province, China.
authors.forename: Cheng-Jian
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Cheng-En Wang, Cheng-Jian Sun, Shuai Huang, Yan-Hua Wang, Ling-Ling Xie, Department of Interventional Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, Shandong Province, China.
authors.forename: Shuai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Cheng-En Wang, Cheng-Jian Sun, Shuai Huang, Yan-Hua Wang, Ling-Ling Xie, Department of Interventional Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, Shandong Province, China.
authors.forename: Yan-Hua
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Cheng-En Wang, Cheng-Jian Sun, Shuai Huang, Yan-Hua Wang, Ling-Ling Xie, Department of Interventional Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, Shandong Province, China.
authors.forename: Ling-Ling
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Xie
mesh_terms: D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D006498:Hepatectomy; D006801:Humans; D033162:Incidental Findings; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D010690:Phlebography / Q000379:methods*; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D061205:Vascular Calcification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
keywords: Calcification; Hepatocarcinoma; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Portal hypertension; Portal vein