Congenital Absence of the Portal Vein

Am Surg. 2023 Apr;89(4):1031-1033. doi: 10.1177/0003134820960064. Epub 2020 Dec 9.

Abstract

A 59-year-old woman presented with abdominal bloating, elevated alkaline phosphatase and transaminases, and computed tomography abdomen/pelvis demonstrating large right-sided hepatic masses. A percutaneous fine needle aspiration demonstrated hepatocellular neoplasm concerning for hepatocellular carcinoma. Preoperative imaging demonstrated possible porto-caval shunt. She underwent uneventful right hepatic lobectomy with confirmation of porto-systemic shunt. Congenital porto-systemic shunt, or Abernethy malformation, is rare and is associated with congenital cardiac and gastrointestinal abnormalities. Additionally, congenital porto-systemic shunt is associated with increased risk of hepatic neoplasms including hepatocellular carcinoma. Recommended surveillance for these patients is not well defined.

Keywords: biliary; hepatobiliary.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdomen / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / complications
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / diagnostic imaging
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms* / complications
  • Liver Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
  • Liver Neoplasms* / surgery
  • Middle Aged
  • Portal Vein / abnormalities