Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 28, 2026

Induction of Cerebral Arterial Gas Embolism in Rat
Published on: October 18, 2024
Massive portal venous gas embolism after scuba diving
Romain Siaffa1,2, Marc Luciani3, Bruno Grandjean3
1Navy Medical Department, Naval base of Toulon, Toulon, France.
Introduction:
Portal venous gas from a diving injury is an infrequent finding and only a few cases are described. We report a case of severe decompression sickness (DCS) associated with a massive amount of gas in the portal and mesenteric veins.
Case Report:
A 49-year-old man suffered from DCS after two deep dives on the same day. He presented with cutaneous, neurological and pulmonary symptoms associated with hypoxaemia. He had no abdominal pain. A computed tomography (CT) scan showed large quantities of hepatic and portal venous gas and excluded other explanations for its presence. All symptoms disappeared with hyperbaric oxygen therapy and there were no further complications.
Discussion And Conclusion:
The role of portal venous gas in DCS is not obvious. Isolated portal venous gas seems to cause no obvious harm. Medical imaging should be considered for differential diagnosis and to prevent some complications, especially in divers presenting with abdominal pain.
Related Concept Videos
Hepatic Portal System
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...
Pulmonary Embolism I: Introduction
Gas Exchange and Transport
Kinetic Molecular Theory and Gas Laws Explain Properties of Gas Molecules
Gas Laws: Boyle's, Gay-Lussac, Charles', Avogadro's, and Ideal Gas Law
Venous Return
What is Venous Return?
Venous return refers to the rate at which blood flows back to the heart from the body's peripheral veins. It's an integral part of the circulatory system...

