Hepatic portal venous gas after blunt abdominal trauma in a child

Abstract

Hepatic portal venous gas is defined as tubular areas with decreased enfeeblement around the periphery of the liver. It is a rare finding and associated with various underlying abdominal pathologies, from benign causes to potentially life threatening conditions. Rate of diagnosis of hepatic portal venous gas have been increased due to widespread use of advanced imaging techniques. Existence of gas in the portal veins after blunt abdominal trauma is a temporary incidental finding that could be resolved spontaneously. Here we report an extremely rare condition that describes a child who was suffering from air emboly of the portal veins due to blunt abdominal trauma. The condition was clinically under control and resolved spontaneously.