Arterioportal fistula with portal hypertension after liver trauma and resection: a case report and review of the literature.

We present the case of a 40-year old man, who suffered from melena and acute abdominal pain due to portal hypertension with an extrahepatic arterioportal fistula after liver trauma and resection 17 years ago. Only a combined radiological and surgical approach was successful after open surgery had failed and primary interventional radiological techniques were not feasible due to anatomical reasons. Two years after treatment the patient has fully recovered. Hepatic arterioportal fistula following abdominal trauma, liver resection or liver punction is a rare cause of portal hypertension. Treatment options are discussed and the available literature on the subject is reviewed.