Abstract
Portal venous gas (PVG) is generally considered to be a rare entity associated with an unfavorable prognosis. Recently, a number of reported cases with a favorable prognosis have been reported. The clinical features of 15 cases of PVG were retrospectively reviewed and their severity was assessed. The 15 cases included 9 men and 6 women, aged 49-92 years (mean : 74 years) ; 8 patients survived (survival group) and 7 died (deceased group). White blood cell count and base excess were significantly higher in the deceased group. On abdominal computed tomography images, both ascites and pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) were significantly more frequently diagnosed in the deceased group. In particular, both ascites and a non-circular and/or irregular linear gas pattern were associated with a poor prognosis. They are useful for assessing the severity of PVG.
