Portal vein gas in emergency surgery
Executive Summary Portal vein gas (PVG) is a critical radiological sign indicative of serious underlying intra-abdominal pathology , most notably bowel ischemia and mesenteric vascular accidents . While historically associated with a mortality rate reaching 75% , advancements in diagnostic imaging—specifically Computed Tomography (CT)—have identified an increasing number of cases related to benign conditions that can be managed conservatively. Bowel ischemia remains the most prevalent cause, accounting for approximately 61.44% of reported cases . The diagnosis of the underlying etiology relies on the correlation of clinical signs with radiological findings. Management strategies are categorized by patient stability and the presence of acute abdominal features : immediate surgical intervention is mandated for patients with acute abdominal signs, while stable patients without mesenteric ischemia may be candidates for conservative treatment . Ultimately, prognosis is determined...