[Aneurysms of the portal vein: an evaluation of 21 cases]

Reviewing 17 cases from the literature and 4 own cases we tried to throw light on the clinical and radiological appearance of the aneurysms of portal vein. The evaluation was performed in respect of sex, age, size, localisation and eventual combination with a portal hypertension. It appears that these aneurysms can be found at any age and that there is no sexual preference. In most cases these aneurysms are asymptomatic. In rare cases they may cause portal hypertension. This seems to be possible only with extrahepatic but not with intrahepatic location of the aneurysms.