[Hepatic portal venous gas associated with acute pancreatitis: reports of two cases and review of literature]

Korean J Gastroenterol. 2007 Aug;50(2):131-5.
[Article in Korean]

Abstract

Hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG) is an uncommon disease entity that usually has grave prognosis. It is generally associated with bowel necrosis, and has been reported in a wide variety of conditions such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, diverticulitis, intestinal ischemia, or infarction. We experienced two cases of HPVG associated with acute pancreatitis. HPVG was found in patients with severe necrotizing pancreatitis and concurrent bowel ischemia. Despite aggressive resuscitation with fluids and broad spectrum antibiotics, each patient developed multiorgan failure, and died within few days. Acute pancreatitis is a potential cause of severe intraabdominal systemic catastrophe. Moreover, HPVG is associated with bowel ischemia in the setting of acute pancreatitis which could lead to rapid aggravation of symptom and complicated clinical course. Therefore, vigilant and aggressive management should be warranted in such condition.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Hepatic Veins* / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pancreatitis, Alcoholic / complications*
  • Pancreatitis, Alcoholic / diagnostic imaging
  • Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis / etiology
  • Portal Vein* / diagnostic imaging
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed