RT Journal
A1 Wente MN, Büchler MW
T1 HEpatic portal venous gas—invited critique
JF Archives of Surgery
JO Archives of Surgery
YR 2009
FD June 1
VO 144
IS 6
SP 581
OP 581
DO 10.1001/archsurg.2009.87
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archsurg.2009.87
AB 
According to the given algorithm, the finding of HPVG in abdominal radiographs should lead directly to an emergency laparotomy. This assumption is based on the results of historical reports, in particular the review of the literature by Liebman et al1 with a mortality rate of 75% in patients with HPVG detected on abdominal radiographs published in 1978. It is questionable if this guideline is still applicable because in most departments a CT scan is available in the emergency setting and will be included in the diagnostic workup for most patients before an emergency laparotomy should be performed.