Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 24, 2026

New Thrombectomy Technique for Total Portal Vein Thrombosis in Liver Transplantation
08:45

New Thrombectomy Technique for Total Portal Vein Thrombosis in Liver Transplantation

Published on: June 27, 2025

Portal vein occlusion with aberrant left gastric vein functioning as a hepatopetal collateral pathway

Kousei Ishigami1, Shiliang Sun, Matthew J Berst

  • 1Department of Radiology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, 3885 JPP, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1077, USA. kousei-ishigami@uiowa.edu

Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology : JVIR
|May 6, 2004
PubMed

Insights

A rare aberrant left gastric vein acted as a vital blood vessel pathway after portal vein occlusion. This finding aided in successful stent placement, significantly improving portal hypertension and gastrojejunal varices.

Area of Science:

  • Vascular surgery
  • Interventional radiology
  • Hepatology

Background:

  • Portal vein occlusion can lead to serious complications like portal hypertension.
  • Development of collateral circulation is a critical compensatory mechanism.

Observation:

  • A rare case of an aberrant left gastric vein functioning as a hepatopetal collateral was identified.
  • Multislice computed tomography (CT) precisely visualized this vascular variation during the portal venous phase.

Findings:

  • The aberrant left gastric vein served as a reliable vascular roadmap for intervention.
  • Percutaneous transhepatic portal venous stent placement was successfully performed.
  • Significant improvement in portal hypertension and extensive gastrojejunal varices was observed post-procedure.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the importance of recognizing aberrant venous anatomy in portal hypertension management.
  • CT imaging is crucial for pre-procedural planning in complex vascular interventions.
  • Aberrant collaterals can be effectively utilized for therapeutic interventions, improving patient outcomes.

More Related Videos

Reduced Complications after Arterial Reconnection in a Rat Model of Orthotopic Liver Transplantation08:39

Reduced Complications after Arterial Reconnection in a Rat Model of Orthotopic Liver Transplantation

Published on: November 7, 2020

Heterotopic Auxiliary Rat Liver Transplantation With Flow-regulated Portal Vein Arterialization in Acute Hepatic Failure16:19

Heterotopic Auxiliary Rat Liver Transplantation With Flow-regulated Portal Vein Arterialization in Acute Hepatic Failure

Published on: September 13, 2014

Related Concept Videos

Veins of the Abdomen and Pelvis01:18

Veins of the Abdomen and Pelvis

The human body is a complex system of interconnected parts, and the circulatory system plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health. One key component of this system is the inferior vena cava, a large vein responsible for returning blood from the abdominopelvic viscera and abdominal walls to the heart.
The inferior vena cava is fed by numerous smaller veins. The lumbar veins, for instance, drain the posterior abdominal wall, emptying both directly into the inferior vena cava and into the...
Esophageal Varices-I: Introduction01:24

Esophageal Varices-I: Introduction

Esophageal varices are dilated, tortuous veins which are found mainly in the submucosa of the lower esophagus but which may also appear higher up or extend into the stomach. They develop due to increased pressure in the portal venous system, often as a result of liver cirrhosis. This condition scars and damages the liver, impeding normal blood flow through the portal vein. To compensate, blood seeks alternative pathways, forming fragile new vessels (varices) in the esophagus and stomach. These...
Portal Hypertension01:22

Portal Hypertension

Portal hypertension is an increase in blood pressure within the portal venous system. Normally, this pressure is less than 5 mmHg. It is considered clinically significant when it rises above 10 mmHg. At this threshold, complications from altered blood flow and venous congestion emerge.EtiologyPortal hypertension arises from conditions that impede blood flow through the liver. The most common cause is cirrhosis, in which chronic liver injury leads to fibrotic scarring. This fibrosis narrows or...
Hepatic Portal System01:21

Hepatic Portal System

The hepatic portal system, a critical part of our circulatory framework, transports nutrient-laden, deoxygenated blood from the gastrointestinal tract and spleen to the liver. This ingenious system plays an indispensable role in maintaining our body's metabolic equilibrium.
At its core, the hepatic portal vein is the result of a confluence of the superior and inferior mesenteric veins along with the splenic vein. Each of these veins has a unique role. The superior mesenteric vein is responsible...
Veins of Thorax01:19

Veins of Thorax

The azygos system is a crucial part of the body's circulatory system and drains most of the thorax. It comprises the azygos, hemiazygos, and accessory hemiazygos veins.
The azygos vein, positioned just right of the midline and anterior to the vertebral column, begins at the junction of the right ascending lumbar and subcostal veins, terminating in the superior vena cava. This vein drains blood from the right side of the thoracic wall, thoracic viscera, and posterior abdominal wall.
The...
Overview of Systemic Veins01:11

Overview of Systemic Veins

Systemic veins are crucial blood vessels that return deoxygenated blood from various body tissues back to the heart. There are three systemic veins that return deoxygenated blood to the heart, they are as follows.
The coronary sinus, the heart's principal vein, resides in the coronary sulcus on the heart's posterior aspect. This broad venous channel receives nearly all venous blood from the myocardium, the heart muscle. It is fed by three primary veins: the great cardiac vein, the middle...