Portal vein aneurysm

Abstract

Portal vein aneurysm is a relatively rare vascular anomaly whose cause and clinical manifestation have not yet been clarifi ed. Older publications emphasize its close relationship with portal hypertension and recommend intense treatment to prevent rupture or thrombus formation. 1-3 However, recent publications indicate that this relationship is doubtful and that occurrence of such serious complications is very rare. 4,5 Thus, the actual consensus is that when detecting an asymptomatic portal vein aneurysm, follow-up observation by color Doppler US is considered to be suffi cient. 4,5 Strictly speaking, the precise defi nition of portal vein aneurysm is sometimes diffi cult or ambiguous, but when US shows a marked segmental dilatation (3 cm) of the portal vein, as in our case, the diagnosis is thought to be appropriate.In the past, the diagnosis was established by portography; however, color Doppler US has been considered the most accurate tool, and clinicians now believe that fi nal

Extrahepatic portal vein aneurysm after orthotopic liver transplantation: a case with 9-year ultrasound observations

“…The typical manifestation of PVA is a regional dilatation of the portal vein on B-mode ultrasound, eddy flow within the aneurysm on color Doppler ultrasound, and a monophasic vein waveform on spectral Doppler ultrasound [3,5,10]. There will be corresponding sonographic findings if complications such as thrombosis, portal hypertension, and adjacent structure compression occur.…”

“…If the portal vein diameter is significantly larger than that of the remainder of the vessel, PVA can be diagnosed [3]. Its prevalence is 0.43 %, and the number of reports in the literature is limited [4][5][6]. PVA after liver transplantation is rare.…”