Pneumatosis and portal venous gas are radiological findings that have been historically associated with 70% mortality, and usually trigger surgical intervention. This is due to their association with acute mesenteric ischemia. As cross-sectional imaging usage has increased in recent years, these findings have also been observed in patients with indolent symptoms, the true mortality among patients with pneumatosis or portal venous gas is now theorized to be significantly lower than previously stated. This systematic review was designed to assess the mortality rate among patients with pneumatosis and portal venous gas on initial imaging. We systematically searched Embase, Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus. Eleven articles were included for final analysis. Ten articles assessed mortality, and included a total of 308 patients, with an overall mortality rate of 31%. Eight articles reported on both ischemia and mortality (n = 233). Of the patients with confirmed ischemia (n = 74), a mortality rate of 69% (n = 51) was noted. Of those without ischemia (n = 159), a mortality rate of 14% (n = 22) was seen. Four studies reported pneumatosis and ischemia (n = 45), in which 64% (n = 29) had ischemia. Four articles reported on portal venous air and ischemia (n = 78). Ischemia was confirmed in 44% of these patients (n = 34). Given an overall mortality of 31% vs prior estimates of 70% for patients with these findings, the decision for surgery on patients with these imaging findings should be made utilizing the overall clinical picture of the patient.

Hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG) is often regarded as a critical warning sign and has poor patient prognosis if appropriate treatment measures are not promptly administered. There is significant heterogeneity in clinical manifestations, diagnostic approaches, and outcomes among patients with HPVG; hence, this study aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with HPVG and explore more effective treatment methods to provide valuable references for future clinical treatment strategies.

A total of 21 patients diagnosed with HPVG using computed tomography at the First People's Hospital of Hangzhou between January 2014 and October 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. A comprehensive analyses of the sex, age, laboratory test results, reasons for admission, comorbidities, treatment methods, and outcomes of patients were done.

The mean age of the 21 patients (13 men and 8 women) was 61.7 years. Patients presented with decreased red blood cell and hemoglobin counts, and increased white blood cell, neutrophil, C-reactive protein, and D-dimer levels. The main etiologies of HPVG were peritonitis (52.4%), post-abdominal surgery (47.6%), intestinal necrosis (33.3%), and gastrointestinal bleeding (28.6%), while the common comorbidities were peritonitis (52.4%), hypertension (52.4%), and coronary heart disease (23.8%). The overall mortality rate of patients with HPVG was 28.6%, and most of the deceased patients had bowel necrosis. Platelet count [odds ratio (OR): 0.979; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.962-0.997; p = 0.024] and neutrophil levels, (OR: 1.161; 95% CI: 1.019-1.323; p = 0.025), and the presence of hypertension (OR: 15.750; 95% CI: 1.424-174.246; p = 0.025) and peritonitis (OR: 15.750; 95% CI: 1.424-174.246; p = 0.025) were significantly associated with the likelihood of requiring surgical intervention. Most patients had a good prognosis after surgical treatment.

This study systematically described the clinical characteristics, etiologies, comorbidities, and prognosis of patients with HPVG and identified predictors indicating the need for surgical intervention.

Intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) is a promising biomarker for small-bowel ischemia including non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI). A 75-year-old woman with diabetic nephropathy sustained a distal radius fracture. Two days later, she underwent a brachial plexus block to facilitate orthopedic surgery, which resulted in hypotension. Despite prompt fluid resuscitation and ephedrine administration, the patient developed abdominal pain. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed hepatic portal venous gas, but no direct evidence of small-bowel ischemia. The gastrointestinal surgery team opted for cautious in-hospital observation overnight. Unfortunately, the patient's condition significantly worsened the following day, prompting an urgent laparotomy. Surgery confirmed ileal segment necrosis, macroscopically characterized by a distinctive geographic pattern. Retrospective analysis of stored serum samples using a human enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay demonstrated that I-FABP levels were moderately elevated (7.2 ng/mL) at the initial outpatient visit for the fracture, peaked (17.9 ng/mL) at the clinical onset of NOMI, and returned to normal (0.7 ng/mL) by postoperative day 2. Serum I-FABP levels correlated with the progression of NOMI, showing potential as an early detection marker. However, the longitudinal analysis of serum I-FABP also highlighted significant challenges of this biomarker, including the influence of renal function and the importance of sampling timing.

To investigate the treatment outcomes of patients with non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI) at our institution, we focused on their post-treatment return to social activities.

This study included patients with suspected NOMI who were referred to our department between 2011 and 2023. In-hospital mortality was also investigated as a prognostic factor. The Glasgow-Pittsburgh Outcome Categories (GPOC) score was used to evaluate the return to social activities. The relationship between in-hospital mortality and GPOC scores and patient background and treatment factors was examined.

Eighty-two patients were included in the study. Among them, 54 (65.9%) died during hospitalization. Only 9 patients (11%) returned to their social activities. In the multivariate analysis, non-surgical management was found to be the only independent factor for in-hospital mortality. Positive portal venous gas on computed tomography, no open abdomen, no pre-onset catecholamine administration, platelet count < 100,000/µL, lactate level < 5 mmol/L, APTT < 46 s, and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score < 11 were factors significantly associated with an increased likelihood of return to social activities.

This is the first study to assess the post-treatment return to social activities among patients with NOMI. Our findings highlight the concerning reality that survivors may face prolonged dependence on medical care.

Very few studies have examined the association between contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) findings observed in portal venous gas (PVG) and pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) and the underlying diseases in these conditions.

In this study, we analyzed this association and report the findings for predicting mortality.

Overall, 50 patients diagnosed with PVG or PI, observed on contrast-enhanced CT, underwent treatment at our hospital. Based on the underlying disease, we divided the patients into three groups, those with ischemic disease, infectious disease, or gastrointestinal dilatation. Furthermore, cases that underwent surgical treatment or needed surgery but were inoperable were assigned to the high risk group (n=16) and patients who received conservative treatment were assigned to the low risk group (n=34). We reviewed the patients' medical charts, laboratory data, and CT images retrospectively, and analyzed the relationship between CT findings, underlying disease, and association with the high risk or low risk group in each case.

Poor enhancement of the intestinal wall, mesenteric fat stranding, extrahepatic PVG, advanced age, and renal disease were significantly associated with ischemic disease (p=0.02, p=0.02, p=0.005, p=0.008 and p=0.049, respectively). PI alone was strongly associated with gastrointestinal dilatation (p=0.009). Patients in the low risk group had more favorable outcomes with conservative treatment. In multivariate analysis, extrahepatic PVG was the only factor associated with the high risk group (p=0.002).

Extrahepatic PVG associated with ischemic disease was the strongest predictive factor of mortality. Other CT findings, though useful in diagnosing the underlying disease, were not significant predictive factors.

Hepatic portal venous gas is often referred to as the "sign of death" because it signifies a very poor prognosis if appropriate treatments are not promptly administered. The etiologies of hepatic portal venous gas are diverse and include severe complex abdominal infections, mesenteric ischemia, diving, and complications of endoscopic surgery, and the clinical manifestations are inconsistent among individual patients. Thus, whether emergency surgery should be performed remains controversial. In this report, we present three cases of hepatic portal venous gas. The patients initially exhibited symptoms consistent with severe shock of unknown etiology and were treated in the intensive care unit upon admission. We rapidly identified the cause of each individual patient's condition and selected problem-directed intervention measures based on active organ support, antishock support, and anti-infection treatments. Two patients recovered and were discharged without sequelae, whereas one patient died of refractory infection and multiple organ failure. We hope that this report will serve as a valuable reference for decision-making when critical care physicians encounter similar patients.

This study investigated the incidence of, and mortality and management outcomes following, pneumatosis intestinalis and/or portal venous gas on computed tomography.

A retrospective study of patients identified with pneumatosis intestinalis and/or portal venous gas on computed tomography at a quaternary centre (2013-2021) was performed. Data relating to clinical presentation (including quick sequential organ failure assessment score), co-morbidities (Charlson Comorbidity Index), biochemical data (including peak lactate level), and radiological findings, were obtained. Factors associated with these were assessed by logistic regression.

From 16 428 scans, 107 (0.65%) demonstrated pneumatosis intestinalis and/or portal venous gas (mean 65.2 years [SD 15.2]; 60 [56%] male). Overall, 37 patients (35%) had both findings present. Thirty-three deaths (31%) were recorded. Fifty-four patients (51%) underwent surgery. Death was associated with quick sequential organ failure assessment score (score 1: OR 5.71, 95% CI 1.31-24.87; score 2: OR 10.00, 95% CI 1.94-51.54), Charlson Comorbidity Index ≥5 (OR 2.86, 95% CI 1.19-6.84), peak lactate ≥2.6 mmol/L (OR 14.53, 95% CI 4.39-48.14), and concomitant pneumatosis intestinalis and portal venous gas (OR 8.25, 95% CI 3.04-22.38). The presence of free peritoneal fluid (OR 3.23, 95% CI 1.44-7.28) or perforated viscus (OR 5.10, 95% CI 1.05-24.85) were the only predictors for surgery.

Pneumatosis intestinalis and portal venous gas are rare findings. Despite traditionally portending a poor prognosis, mortality occurred in only one-third of patients. There were clear indicators of mortality viz. sepsis severity, comorbidities, and concomitant pneumatosis intestinalis and portal venous gas. Factors predicting surgery warrant further investigation.

BACKGROUND Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) is an uncommon condition that is not specific to any particular disease. Currently, there is no specific clinical guideline for treating and diagnosing PI. Furthermore, there are numerous causes of PI, which makes it difficult for clinicians - internal medicine physicians as well as surgeons - to take a clinical approach to diagnosis and treatment. CASE REPORT We present 3 clinical scenarios with PI. In the first patient there was a solitary image of PI, which was treated successfully with parenteral nutrition and intravenous antibiotics, and he was discharged after 5 days. The other 2 cases, which involve gas in the hepatic portal vein (HPVG), were handled in 2 distinct ways: surgically and conservatively. One needed diagnostic laparoscopy with necrotic segmentectomy and was discharged from the hospital on postoperative day 16. The last patient, received resuscitation treatment due to severe comorbidities and inability to tolerate surgery. After 3 days, abdominal CT scan revealed no signs of remaining PI. However, the patient was terminally discharged after 7 weeks of treatment due to septic shock caused by sacrococcygeal ulcer and urinary tract infection. By drawing comparisons among these 3 scenarios, we aim to highlight certain indicators for conservative treatment success. CONCLUSIONS PI with HPVG is a sign of severe prognosis, which often requires surgical intervention. However, the decision to manage conservatively or surgically depends on the patient's condition and other criteria such as peritonitis, free fluid in the abdominal cavity, and the presence of shock. Physicians should also weigh the benefits and risks of surgical intervention in critically ill patients.

BACKGROUND Hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG) is a rare radiologic finding mostly associated with life-threatening diseases like bowel necrosis, but can also be benign; its overall mortality rate is 39-75%. In rare cases HPVG is associated with endoscopic procedures such as percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) placement. However, due to the rarity of this condition, there is no recommendation about its management. The aim of this case report was to describe a successful conservative management of HPVG without antibiotic administration based on the clinical presentation. CASE REPORT A 78-year-old male patient known for a history of esophageal cancer treated with radio- and chemotherapy, complicated by a post-radiation esophageal stenosis requiring a PEG tube placement 1 month prior was admitted to our Emergency Department for vomiting and abdominal pain. A contrast-enhanced abdominal CT scan showed small-bowel dilatation without obstruction, as well as gastric wall pneumatosis and HPVG. We opted for a conservative approach. The PEG was put to suction for 2 days. The clinical evolution was favorable, with resolution of abdominal pain and a restored transit on day 2. A follow-up CT scan at day 5 showed resolution of HPVG. Nutrition through the PEG was restored at day 6 without complication. CONCLUSIONS HPVG can be a benign finding after a PEG tube placement. Conservative management without antibiotics can be used in oligosymptomatic and hemodynamically stable patients after life-threatening associated diseases like bowel necrosis have been ruled out.

Radiologists are familiar with the appearances of a normal portal vein; variations in its anatomy are commonplace and require careful consideration due to the implications for surgery. These alterations in portal vein anatomy have characteristic appearances that are clearly depicted on CT, MR, and US images. Similarly, there are numerous congenital and acquired disorders of the portal vein that are deleterious to its function and can be diagnosed by using imaging alone. Some of these conditions have subtle imaging features, and some are conspicuous at imaging but poorly understood or underrecognized. The authors examine imaging appearances of the portal vein, first by outlining the classic and variant anatomy and then by describing each of the disorders that impact portal vein function. The imaging appearances of portal vein abnormalities discussed in this review include (a) occlusion from and differentiation between bland thrombus and tumor in vein and the changes associated with resultant hepatic artery buffer response changes, cavernous transformation of the portal vein, and portal biliopathy; (b) ascending thrombophlebitis of the portal vein (pylephlebitis); (c) portal hypertension and its causes and sequelae; (d) the newly described disease entity portosinusoidal vascular disorder; and (e) intra- and extrahepatic shunts of the portal system, both congenital and acquired (including Abernethy malformations), and the associated risks. Current understanding of the pathophysiologic processes of each of these disorders is considered to aid the approach to reporting. ©RSNA, 2023 Quiz questions for this article are available in the supplemental material.

A 57-year-old male admitted as an emergency for mushroom poisoning with hypovolemic shock, acute renal injury (Cr 213 μmol/L) and metabolic acidosis (pH 7.1). Twenty-six hours ago, he consumed 4 caps of wild mushrooms and presented with acute gastroenteritis, generalized malaise and lower limbs jerk. On ICU admission, he developed ventricular defibrillation and was resuscitated with intubation and ventilation. In addition to plasma exchange and hemoperfusion therapy, the patient was managed with massive fluid and potassium replacement, vasopressors, activated charcoal, silymarin, penicillin G and piperacillin tazobactam. On ICU Day 2, the patient's general condition improved with vasopressor ceased, renal function normalized except large amount of diarrhea. On ICU Day 3, the patient deteriorated again with worsening abdominal distension leading to intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH). Toxic liver injury by mushroom became significant. Repeated acute renal injury, deranged clotting and compromised hemodynamics were also noted which indicated acute abdominal compartment syndrome. Emergent computed tomography (CT) of abdomen revealed Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) in the small intestines and hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG) in the left liver lobe. Water assisted colonoscopy decompression was performed emergently for IAH relief. Thereafter, the patient improved rapidly with organ dysfunction recovered next day. Acute liver failure gradually subsided. On ICU Day 8, the patient was discharged to general ward. The mushroom was later morphologically identified as Amanita exitialis (A. exitialis) by at least two specialists from Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A. exitialis is a lethal mushroom that mainly affect liver and gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The current case and literature review suggest that the severity of GI injury caused by lethal A. exitialis may be underestimated.

To summarize and analyze the clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG).

This was a single center retrospective observational study. All of the patients were diagnosed with HPVG. The patients were admitted to Peking University Third Hospital from January 2017 to January 2021. Demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, abdominal imaging, treatment of the primary disease, and clinical outcomes of the patients were collected via electronic medical records. The study was approved by institutional review board and the information of all the patients was kept de-identified.

A total of seven cases were included in the study. The median age of the patients was 67 (63, 81) years. Six of the patients were male. The seven patients all presented with sudden onset of severe abdominal pain, which was the most common symptom. Six patients developed septic shock after admission. The signs of HPVG were detected by CT scans in all the patients, showing gas embolization. It might also be found as unique "aquarium sign" in abdominal ultrosonography. Four cases were caused by intestinal lesions, including acute volvulus, intestinal obstruction, and rectal abscess. Two were caused by ischemic bowel disease and the other one was caused by severe acute pancreatitis. The gas accumulation could disappear after effective anti-shock therapy and surgery (Cases 1, 2, and 6). Two patients had good postoperative outcomes, and one patient was discharged after non-surgical treatment. However, the prognosis was poor in the patients with intestinal ischemia necrosis accompanied by shock and multiple organ dysfunction (Cases 3, 4, 5, and 7 all died).

The HPVG patients generally have acute abdominal pain and show up at Emergency Department. The prognosis depends on the potential cause of HPVG. The mechanism and clinical management for the appearance of gas in the portal vein is not well understood. Patients complicated with shock, ascites, and peritonitis may have intestinal necrosis, which indicates surgical intervention and higher mortality. CT is the preferred diagnostic method in standard clinical practice. Physicians need to have a comprehensive understanding of the proactive diagnostic strategy, and active treatment for the primary disease.

 Hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG) is a rare clinical finding, often caused by a severe underlying disease. In the literature as well as in clinical practice, HPVG is considered "signum malum" with a poor prognosis and bowel ischemia as the most common cause. Most studies are based on the results of computed tomography (CT) examinations. The aim of this retrospective study is to report on the prevalence, causes, and clinical course of HPVG in a monocentric cohort of abdominal ultrasound (US) investigations.

 The US database of an academic teaching hospital was searched with specific keywords (timespan 01/2000 to 12/2020). Reports, pictures, and clinical data of all cases with HPVG were re-evaluated.

 Out of 134 804 US examinations, 8 HPVG cases were identified. There was a wide variety of underlying diseases, with mesenteric ischemia being seen in only 2 cases. 5 patients were discharged in stable condition, with 4 of them having undergone surgical treatment. 2 patients who had rejected further measures died, and one was lost to follow-up.

 HPVG is a rare phenomenon in clinical US. However, ultrasonographic prevalence is comparable to the prevalence in CT studies. Underlying diseases are mostly severe, and in nearly all cases an underlying cause can be found by thorough investigation. In some cases, US may even be superior to CT scans for the detection of HPVG. Despite its rarity, every sonographer should know the typical sonographic presentation of HPVG, and appropriate images should be included in US teaching modules.

Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) is a striking radiological diagnosis. Formerly a rare diagnostic finding, it is becoming more frequently diagnosed due to the wider availability and improvement of computed tomography scan imaging. Once associated only with poor outcome, its clinical and prognostic significance nowadays has to be cross-referenced to the nature of the underlying condition. Multiple mechanisms of pathogenesis have been debated and multiple causes have been detected during the years. All this contributes to creating a broad range of clinical and radiological presentations. The management of patients presenting PI is related to the determining cause if it is identified. Otherwise, in particular if an association with portal venous gas and/or pneumoperitoneum is present, the eventual decision between surgery and non-operative management is challenging, even for stable patients, since this clinical condition is traditionally associated to intestinal ischemia and consequently to pending clinical collapse if not treated. Considering the wide variety of origin and outcomes, PI still remains for surgeons a demanding clinical entity. The manuscript is an updated narrative review and gives some suggestions that may help make the decisional process easier, identifying patients who can benefit from surgical intervention and those who can benefit from non-operative management avoiding unnecessary procedures.

Portal venous gas (PVG) generally suggests critically ill conditions such as severe bowel ischemia. We herein report a rare case of gallbladder torsion with PVG. An 88-year-old woman complained of right hypogastric pain. Ultrasonography (US) showed diffuse wall thickening of her gallbladder and mobile echogenic foci moving inside the portal venous branches. Computed tomography showed a thickened wall of the gallbladder with poor enhancement and tiny pockets of air in the portal venous branches (segments 4 and 5). There was no evidence of other visceral ischemia. She was diagnosed with necrotic cholecystitis and immediately underwent an emergency operation. We found a gangrenous gallbladder with 180° clockwise rotation along the longitudinal axis and performed cholecystectomy. We confirmed the disappearance of PVG with US after the operation. Her postoperative course was uneventful. Gallbladder diseases can produce PVG, and US might be a useful diagnostic modality to evaluate changes in PVG.

Hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG) refers to the imaging signs formed by the abnormal accumulation of abnormal gas in the portal veins and the branches of the inner veins of the liver due to various reasons, and is usually associated with poor prognosis. HPVG is mostly caused by abdominal diseases. Herein, we reported a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma developed HPVG following transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). This patient was identified as Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage B, and treated by five times of TACE. Gelfoam sponge was used as embolic agent in the first and last TACE treatment. After the first TACE, pneumonia occurred in the right lung, and pneumorachis with iodine oil deposition occurred in the tumor lesion in the right lobe of the liver, which was considered as hepatic abscess. After three more TACE, enhanced MRI showed significant necrosis and reduction of the lesions. After the fifth TACE, the enhancing computed tomography (CT) showed a large amount of gas in the lesions and in the portal veins, which was considered as HPVG. Although after active treatment, the patient died soon. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma developed HPVG following TACE with gelfoam sponge as embolic agent.

A 73-year-old man with severe intellectual disability, malnutrition, and hypoalbuminemia presented to our hospital after experiencing vomiting following dinner. Electrocardiography revealed a sinus rhythm. Plain abdominal radiography showed branching radiolucency in the liver. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed branching gaseous foci of low density in the portal vein and its tributaries, suggesting the presence of hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG). Abdominal contrast-enhanced CT showed a segmental lack of contrast enhancement in the intestinal wall despite the absence of vascular occlusion in the main trunk and branches of the mesenteric artery. The patient was diagnosed with non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI) accompanied by HPVG. Peripheral parenteral nutrition, antibiotic treatment, and human serum albumin were administered. The HPVG disappeared approximately 20 h after hospitalization. Intravascular dehydration associated with hypoalbuminemia was considered to be the cause of NOMI; the latter improved through the early correction of dehydration and hypoalbuminemia. The presence of HPVG is usually considered a diagnostic clue in patients with abdominal catastrophe and is associated with high mortality. However, the current case demonstrates the pitfalls of assessing the severity of the underlying condition based solely on the presence of HPVG.

Aeroportia is the presence of gas in the portal vein. It is considered an ominous radiological sign with poor outcomes. Historically, it was associated with bowel necrosis, and surgery was mandated in all cases. Herein, we present a challenging case of portal venous gas and its management. An 87-year-old male patient, with multiple co-morbidities, presented with abdominal pain. The computerized tomography (CT) scan showed extensive portal venous gas without evidence of bowel ischemia. Initially, he was managed conservatively, but his clinical condition deteriorated. So, an exploratory laparotomy was performed which revealed multiple superficial splenic abscesses covering the surface of the spleen and a pale segment of jejunum with questionable viability. Splenectomy was performed and second-look laparotomy was planned to assess the small bowel viability. Second-look laparotomy revealed dusky discoloration of 30 cm jejunal segment. The affected segment was resected. The patient improved after surgery and was discharged home. In conclusion, aeroportia (portal venous gas) is a radiological entity. The clinical condition of the patient must be kept in consideration to manage the patients optimally. However, if the patient deteriorates, a high index of suspicion for mesenteric ischemia and early surgical intervention are the keys to save the patients' life.

Enteral nutrition is usually associated with a low risk of intestinal complications. We report three non-critically ill patients who received enteral nutrition and developed mesenteric ischemia with pneumatosis intestinalis and hepatic portal vein gas. These findings are often considered to be indications for emergency surgery. In these three patients, prompt cessation of enteral nutrition avoided progression to intestinal necrosis obviating the need for intestinal resection, although one patient underwent surgical exploration. Follow-up computed tomography scan showed resolution of the radiologic findings, and all patients started enteral nutrition again without complications. All patients had comorbidities associated with atherosclerosis, which may have led to a mismatch between oxygen delivery and demand in the bowel, resulting in ischemia. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of successful management of mesenteric ischemia related to enteral nutrition in non-critically ill patients without resection. If the cause of mesenteric ischemia such as enteral nutrition, can be eliminated quickly, non-resectional and possibly nonoperative management can be a reasonable management option, with close follow-up and readiness for resection.