A rare occurrence of hepatic portal venous gas in a patient with chemotherapy-induced enterocolitis: the rise of benign aetiologies

Hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG) is often viewed as an ominous imaging finding with a poor prognosis and a high mortality rate. We recently encountered a case of HPVG in a patient with advanced metastatic prostate cancer previously treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. A laparotomy was performed, which was negative. Although HPVG secondary to chemotherapy is extremely rare, we as clinicians need to consider this aetiology and other benign aetiologies. With the increased rate of benign aetiologies and their successful conservative management, the role of emergency laparotomies needs to be re-considered.