Rapidly progressive portal hypertension 23 years after post-traumatic arterioportal fistula of the liver.

Abstract

Intrahepatic arterioportal fistulas may occur after blunt abdominal trauma and lead to severe portal hypertension, which can be prevented by early diagnosis and treatment. The diagnostic workup of an asymptomatic young male with elevated transaminases revealed an arterioportal fistula secondary to a traumatic liver rupture during childhood, 23 yr earlier. Three years after initial diagnosis, the patient presented with gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Progression of portal hypertension had resulted in esophageal varices and ascites. After ligation of the right hepatic artery, the esophageal varices and ascites disappeared. Twelve months after surgery, the patient is asymptomatic without any signs of liver decompensation or recurrence of gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Our case demonstrates that rapid progression of portal hypertension with severe complication can occur in patients with arterioportal fistula after a long-lasting asymptomatic course of 23 yr. Simultaneous chronic hepatitis C may have a contributory role.