Portal venous gas as the first presenting radiological feature of impending fulminant NEC in ELBW infants

Abstract

Portal venous gas (PVG) is an ominous radiological sign in infants with necrotising enterocolitis (NEC). It usually presents as a sign of severe disease. We report two cases of extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants who presented with PVG as an initial radiological finding of NEC, before evolvement of clinical features. Both progressed to fulminant NEC and required surgical intervention within a short span of the appearance of PVG. One baby died of fulminant NEC and the other survived. These cases highlight the fact that isolated PVG can be a primary radiological sign of impending fulminant NEC.