A Case of Hepatic Artery-Portal Vein Fistula

Han, Sang Young; Park, Hee Seung; Kim, Kwang Dong; Baik, Sang Hyun; Chang, Kwang Ryel; Rho, Myung Hwan; Choi, Seok Ryel; Shin, Woo Won

Abstract

Fistula between the hepatic artery and portal vein is a rare disease which may be located either intra-or extrahepatically. These hepatic artery-portal vein fistula may be congenital or acquired, the latter being described in patients with liver carcinoma, ruptured aneurysm of the hepatic artery after penetrating wounds, liver biopsy, and blunt abdominal trauma. Though it can be suspected clinically because of a vascular bruit of the liver or the presence of a pulsatile mass, they are often incidental findings on abdominal angiograms. The clinical picture is often dominated by portal hypertension and may occasionally include features of mesenteric steal syndrome. The present report describes a patient with ascites, diarrhea, and nausea in whom a large hepatic artery-portal vein fistula was diagnosed after blunt trauma and operation of the liver.