Korean J Med.  2013 Sep;85(3):294-296. 10.3904/kjm.2013.85.3.294.

Extrahepatic Portal Vein Aneurysm in a Non-cirrhotic Patient

• Park SH
• Park CW
• Nam OO
• Park JI
• Kim HJ
• Moon SW

• KMID: 1722640
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3904/kjm.2013.85.3.294

Abstract

Portal venous aneurysm (PVA) is an unusual venous malformation and its etiology is not fully understood. Most PVAs are diagnosed incidentally by non-invasive abdominal imaging techniques; indeed, recently, PVAs have frequently been discovered in this way. Most PVAs remain stable, without complications, in patients with no clinical symptoms of portal hypertension or intrinsic liver disease. However, if PVA is discovered in these patients by chance, close imaging follow-up of portal vein aneurysms is recommended. In the case of aneurysm growth or the development of complications related to the aneurysm, medical or surgical approaches are advised but there is no consensus on the use of prophylactic antiplatelet or anticoagulation medications. We report a case of incidental PVA identification in a patient without underlying liver disease by routine investigation. A review of the literature is also provided.

Keyword

Extrahepatic; Portal vein; Aneurysm

MeSH Terms

Aneurysm
Humans
Hypertension, Portal
Liver Diseases
Portal Vein