Venous calcifications associated with cavernous transformation of the portal vein: computed tomographic and angiographic correlations

Abstract

A case of rare venous calcifications involving cavernous transformation of the portal vein and spontaneous splenocaval shunt is presented. Findings were obtained with plain abdominal radiography, computed tomography, and angiography. Inflammation of the portal vein with subsequent occlusion could account for splenomegaly and hypertrophy of the splenic artery and vein with atheromatous calcifications due to turbulence and sclerosis. Angiography is essential prior to surgical intervention in order to select the appropriate shunt.