Extrahepatic Portal Vein Aneurysm

Abstract

Portal vein aneurysms are rare vascular abnormalities, many of which are incidentally discovered on routine imaging studies. The etiology of portal venous aneurysms is poorly understood, and the management of these lesions is debatable. We report the case of a 61-year-old woman with extrahepatic portal vein aneurysm. We review the nature and significance of this abnormality and discuss appropriate clinical, imaging, and treatment approaches.

Keywords: CT, computed tomography.

Figure 1

61-year-old woman with extrahepatic portal vein aneurysm. Contrast enhanced CT image (A) demonstrates small bowel obstruction, evidenced by dilated small intestinal loops with air-fluid levels (arrowheads). 5 cm diameter extrahepatic portal vein aneurysm (asterisk) located at superior mesenteric vein and splenic vein confluence. (B) Intrahepatic portal vein shows normal caliber. Mild dilation of the intrahepatic biliary system is evident (arrowhead).

Figure 2

61-year-old woman with extrahepatic portal vein aneurysm. Gray scale (A) and color Doppler (B) ultrasound images delineate extrahepatic location and patency of portal vein aneurysm (asterisk).