Absent portal vein bifurcation: a rare variant and its clinical significance

Value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound for vascular diseases of the liver - current indications and open questions

Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) is a widely available and well-tolerated technique that can expand the diagnosis of a variety of vascular liver diseases. This paper presents an overview of the current possibilities of the use of CEUS in vascular liver diseases. Particularly where Doppler sonography has technical limitations, CEUS provides additional opportunities to visualize vascular thrombosis and other obstructions restricting blood flow. When CT or MRI contrast agents cannot be used because of severe allergy or renal insufficiency, CEUS can be a valuable diagnostic alternative and has demonstrated comparable diagnostic performance in at least some vascular liver diseases, such as portal vein thrombosis. In addition, CEUS works without radiation and, therefore, might be particularly suitable for young patients and children. This may be useful, for example, in congenital disorders such as persistent umbilical vein or preduodenal portal vein. Vascular liver disease is rare and comprehensive data are still lacking, but the available literature provides promising insights into potential new ways to study vascular liver disease. Although most studies are based on small sample sizes or even case reports, the high diagnostic utility is undisputed.

Metastatic neuroendocrine tumor with metastases to the right liver in a patient with absent left portal vein

The patient is a 50-year-old female that underwent routine screening colonoscopy during which she was found to have a neuroendocrine tumor in the right colon. The patient underwent computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans that demonstrated metastatic disease in segments 5 and 7 of the liver. Notably, the patient was found to have an absent left portal vein. The metastatic lesions abut the right portal vein; the right portal vein also supplies the left lobe of the liver in place of an absent left portal vein. She underwent a laparoscopic-assisted right hemicolectomy to remove the primary tumor. The patient recovered uneventfully from surgery and is currently being monitored by a multidisciplinary team regarding her metastatic disease. Neuroendocrine tumors can cause long-term effects on health and ultimately death if left untreated. We present a case of metastatic midgut neuroendocrine tumor that has metastasized to the liver in a patient with absent left portal vein.

Study of surgical anatomy of portal vein of liver segments by cast method and its clinical implications

Portal vein provides about three-fourths of liver's blood supply. Portal vein is formed behind the neck of pancreas, at the level of the second lumbar vertebra and formed from the convergence of superior mesenteric and splenic veins. The purpose of this study is to review the normal distribution and variation, morphometry of portal vein and its branches for their implication in liver surgery and preoperative portal vein embolization. It is also helpful for radiologists while performing radiological procedures. A total of fresh 40 livers with intact splenic and superior mesenteric vein were collected from the mortuary of Forensic Department, JSS Medical College and Mysuru Medical College. The silicone gel was injected into the portal vein and different segments were identified and portal vein variants were noted. The morphometry of portal vein was measured by using digital sliding calipers. The different types of portal vein segmental variants were observed. The present study showed predominant type I in 90% cases, type II 7.5% cases, and type III 2.5% cases. Mean and standard deviation (SD) of length of right portal vein among males and females were 2.096±0.602 cm and 1.706±0.297 cm, respectively. Mean and SD of length of left portal vein among males and females were 3.450±0.661 cm and 3.075±0.632 cm, respectively. The difference in the Mean among the males and females with respect to length of right portal vein and left portal vein was found to be statistically significant (P=0.010). Prior knowledge of variations regarding the formation, termination and tributaries of portal vein are very helpful and important for surgeons to perform liver surgeries like liver transplantation, segmentectomy and for Interventional Radiologists.