Seizure: a rare and transient cause of portal venous gas.

Abstract

Gas in the hepatic portal venous system has been noted to be a complication of a wide range of intra-abdominal catastrophes that involve damage to bowel mucosa. We describe a patient who, after a seizure, was found to have portal venous gas on sonography and CT. The search for other possible causes revealed negative results. This case demonstrates a rare cause of hepatic portal venous gas that is self-resolving and clinically benign.