Abstract
A rare condition of absence of portal bifurcation, which was demonstrated in a 55-year-old Japanese women with malignant lymphoma is reported. A contrast-enhanced abdominal CT disclosed an anomalous intrahepatic portal distribution. While the portal vein bifurcation was not seen at the hepatic hilum, an aberrant portal vein ran from the right to the left side of the liver transversely in front of the middle hepatic vein. Anatomical distribution of hepatic veins and arteries were in normal position. On laparotomy, the round ligament and the gallbladder appeared to be normally located. It is important to be aware of the possibility of this very rare anomaly in performing hepatic surgery, particularly in right hepatectomy. Even though absence of portal bifurcation is quite uncommon, hepatobiliary surgeons must keep this anomaly in mind to avoid inadvertent total ligation of the portal vein followed by disastrous results.
