Anatomy & Cell Biology  2014;47(3):210-213

doi:10.5115/acb.2014.47.3.210

Absent portal vein bifurcation: a rare variant and its clinical significance.

Ranjan Kumar SAHOO 1 ; Sitansu KUMAR PANDA ; Pravakar BAHINIPATI

Affiliations

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Keywords

Portal vein; Anomaly; Anatomic variation

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

English

Abstract

Portal vein branching anomaly occurs due to aberration of normal anastomotic patterns and involution of vitelline veins during development of portal vein. Anatomical knowledge of portal vein and its branching pattern is important for hepatobiliary surgeon and gastrointestinal intervention radiologist. We are reporting a case of absence of portal vein bifurcation showing single main intrahepatic portal vein with gradual decreasing caliber distally, in a young female patient on contrast-enhanced computed tomography study of abdomen. Few cases of absence of portal bifurcation have been reported in literature so far.