Pediatric milk protein allergy causing hepatic portal venous gas: Case report

Abstract

Hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG) is a rare imaging finding in infants and usually indicative of a severe disease process such as necrotizing enterocolitis, bowel ischemia, or bowel wall rupture / infarction. The diagnosis of HPVG may have serious implications such as parenteral nutrition, antibiotics and even surgery. In this case, we present an 8-week-old male with a history of prematurity presenting with HPVG, later concluded to be caused by milk protein allergy. Milk protein allergy is a rare cause of HPVG, but it should be recognized due to its benignity and potential prevention of unnecessary testing and interventions.

Keywords

• Hepatic portal venous gas
• Milk protein allergy
• Necrotizing enterocolitis
• Intramural bowel gas