Anatomic variation: absence of portal vein bifurcation

Purpose To describe in CT scan the absence of a portal vein bifurcation. Methods We described the contrast-enhanced CT scan appearance of an absence of portal vein bifurcation in an “asymptomatic” 39 year old woman. Results It was a single intrahepatic portal vein which crossed the entire liver pare...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Surgical and radiologic anatomy (English ed.) 2011-07, Vol.33 (5), p.459-463
Main Authors: Kouadio, Eric Kouamé, bessayah, Abdellah, Valette, Pierre-Jean, Glehen, Olivier, Nloga, Joseph, Diabaté, Aboubacar Sidiki, Garcier, Jean-Marc, Cotton, François
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Anatomic Variations
Anatomy
Anatomy & physiology
Biological and medical sciences
Biological variation
Female
General aspects
Hepatic Veins - diagnostic imaging
Humans
Imaging
Liver
Liver - diagnostic imaging
Medical sciences
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Orthopedics
Portal Vein - abnormalities
Portal Vein - diagnostic imaging
Radiology
Surgery
Tomography
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Veins & arteries
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Summary:Purpose To describe in CT scan the absence of a portal vein bifurcation. Methods We described the contrast-enhanced CT scan appearance of an absence of portal vein bifurcation in an “asymptomatic” 39 year old woman. Results It was a single intrahepatic portal vein which crossed the entire liver parenchyma from the right to the left and with a gradually decreasing diameter. The vascularization of the hepatic parenchyma was not ensured by third order branches, but directly made by second order ramifications which were regularly originated from the single IHPV along its course. This unusual portal vein mimicking a left portal vein agenesis, appeared in fact to be more in relation with a right portal vein agenesis. Distribution of hepatic veins and hepatic volume was normal. Conclusion This very rare anatomic variation is easily detected on CT scan and appears important to describe for surgeon and interventional radiologists.
ISSN:0930-1038
1279-8517
DOI:10.1007/s00276-010-0750-1