Portal vein stent to save the day

Background Post-operative portal vein stenosis/occlusion is a relatively common and life-threatening condition. Clinical outcomes depend on early diagnosis and the selection of properly intervention procedure. Case presentation A 78-year-old female developed portal vein stenosis/occlusion after resection of cholangiocarcinoma of the ampulla of Vater. The patient presented with acute liver failure, elevated hepatic enzymes and impaired prothrombin time. Imaging revealed hepatic parenchyma damage with multiple transient hepatic attenuation differences. To prevent severe non-irreversible hepatic failure placement of portal venous stent was decided. After the procedure post portography confirmed no residual stenosis and sufficient flow. Conclusions A summary of the clinical impact or potential implications of post operative portal venous stent placement