Computerized axial tomography (CT) as an aid in the diagnosis of hepatic portal venous gas: a case report.

The radiologic finding of hepatic portal venous gas and its surgical implications have been documented previously in the literature. More than 67 cases have been reported. Branching tubular lucencies that extend from the porta hepatis to the edge of the liver are characteristic. In general, air in the biliary tree is central in location, but the distinction may not always be clear. We present a case in which computerized axial tomography was extremely helpful in localizing extraluminal gas to the liver and differentiating between air in the biliary tree and hepatic portal venous gas.