Images in hepatology. Extrahepatic portal vein aneurysm

Extrahepatic aneurysm of the portal venous system and portal hypertension

Portal venous aneurysm (PVA) is a rare condition characterized by dilatation of the portal venous system. PVA manifestation of symptoms is varied and depends on the aneurysm size, location and related-complications, such as thrombosis. While the majority of reported cases of PVA are attributed to portal hypertension, very little is known about the condition’s pathophysiology and clinical management remains a challenge. Here, we describe a 67-year-old woman who presented with complaint of dyspepsia and without a significant medical history, for whom PVA was incidentally diagnosed. The initial upper abdominal ultrasound revealed marked dilatation of the main portal vein, and subsequent contrast-enhanced computed tomography with angiography revealed a large aneurysm arising from the extrahepatic troncus portion of the portal vein, as well as gastroesophageal varices. A conservative approach using beta-blocker therapy was chosen. The patient was followed-up for 60 mo, during which time the asymptomatic status was unaltered and the PVA remained stable.

Ultrasonography and 3D-CT Follow-Up of Extrahepatic Portal Vein Aneurysm: A Case Report

Extrahepatic portal vein aneurysm is a rare disorder. From 1956 to 2008, we found only 43 published English-language reports, including 67 cases, using Pub Med. We report a case of a 77-year-old woman who had complaints of lower abdominal fullness and residual urine. We performed ultrasonography (US), which demonstrated a congenital extrahepatic portal vein aneurysm. She had no obvious symptoms of the extrahepatic portal vein aneurysm. She had undergone gastrectomy without blood transfusion for gastric ulcer more than 20 years ago. Physical examination revealed no abnormal findings. US revealed a 2.2 × 1.8 cm, round shaped hypoechogenic lesion at the hepatic hilum. Color Doppler US showed bidirectional colors due to circular flow within this lesion. 3D-CT and CT angiography demonstrated that the saccular aneurysm at the hepatic hilum was 3.0 cm in diameter and was enhanced equal to that of portal vein.Twenty-six months after the diagnosis, the aneurysm had not grown in size. Since our patient had no serious complaints or liver disease, surgical procedures had not been employed. US and 3D-CT are noninvasive diagnostic techniques and are helpful in the diagnosis and follow-up of extrahepatic portal vein aneurysms.

Thrombosed portal vein aneurysm

We describe two cases of thrombosed extrahepatic portal vein aneurysms diagnosed by sonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Portal vein aneurysm is a rare clinical entity that has been described as a focal dilatation that can affect intra- and extrahepatic portal branches. Although usually asymptomatic, thrombosis can lead to portal hypertension. Clinical and imaging characteristics are discussed, in addition to a review of the literature.