[Hepatic portal venous gas: a case report].

Gas in hepatic portal vein is a rare entity. This may be apparent after mesenteric ischemia, blunt abdominal trauma, intestinal obstruction, and intra-abdominal infection. Intrahepatic gas was detected by direct abdominal graphy in a 58 year-old man who was admitted to our emergency service with acute abdomen. On computed tomography; portal vein gas, pneumatosis intestinalis, and occlusion of superior mesenteric vein and artery were detected. The patient who had had significant concomittant operative risks, died prior to surgery. Gas in portal vein is a good predictive factor for diagnosis, management, and prognosis. This sign may avoid unnecessary surgery and also it may help to make an early decision for surgery.