[Gas in the portal vein system of the liver. Value of ultrasound].

We report on 9 patients presenting with different diseases of varying severity, who were found to have hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG) identified by diagnostic ultrasonography. Intrahepatic gas was a shortlasting phenomenon, which could not be seen radiologically in most cases. Earlier beliefs that HPVG is a poor prognostic sign associated with high mortality, should be revised.