HEPATIC PORTAL VENOUS GAS FOLLOWING EMERGENCY ENDOSCOPIC SCLEROTHERAPY OF GASTRIC VARICES

Hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG) is a rare condition, usually associat ed with extended bowel necrosis or intra-abdominal infection. Herein, we report a case of HPVG following endoscopic sclerotherapy for bleedi ng gastric varices. A 50-year-old female with a history of alcoholic l iver disease was referred to our hospital because of hematemesis. Emer gency endoscopic sclerotherapy was performed to control bleeding gastr ic varices. Twelve hours later, HPVG was demonstrated by ultrasound an d confirmed by duplex sonography, which spontaneously resolved 2 hours later. The patient remained well throughout this time, and was releas ed with no major sequelae. This case supports the view that HPVG can a lso present as a benign finding, in particular, following diagnostic a nd therapeutic procedures of the gut. The underlying cause determines the clinical significance and prognosis of HPVG.