J Korean Radiol Soc.  2000 May;42(5):751-756. 10.3348/jkrs.2000.42.5.751.

Hemoperitoneum due to Ruptured Paraumbilical Vein in a Cirrhotic Patient with Portal Hypertension: Treatment by means of Coil Embolization

• Lee JM
• Kim HL
• Lee YH
• Lee SH
• Kim JK

• KMID: 2025108
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jkrs.2000.42.5.751

Abstract

The paraumbilical vein is one of the anastomotic channels between the portal and systemic circulatory systems, and rupture of the intra-abdominal varix is an unusual complication of portal hypertension that can lead to life-threatening hemoperitoneum. We experienced a case of hemoperitoneum due to a ruptured paraumbilical vein revealed by ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT) and percutaneous transhepatic portography. The last mentioned demonstrated a dilated paraumbilical ve i n draining two branches of the left portal vein into the right external iliac vein, and we performed coil embolization at the site at which the presumed site of paraumbilical vein was presumed to cause hemoperitoneum. We describe this unusual case of hemoperitoneum due to a ruptured paraumbilical vein in a known liver cirrhosis patient in whom portal hypertension was treated by means of coil embolization.

Keyword

Peritoneum, hemorrhage; Portography; Hypertension, portal

MeSH Terms

Embolization, Therapeutic*
Hemoperitoneum*
Humans
Hypertension, Portal*
Iliac Vein
Liver Cirrhosis
Portal Vein
Portography
Rupture
Ultrasonography
Varicose Veins
Veins*