Detection of Intestinal Pneumatosis Location by Following Hyperechoic Foci in the Portal Vein Along Its Branches With Real-time Ultrasound.

Portal venous gas is occasionally encountered in children with intestinal pneumatosis, identified on real-time ultrasound imaging as hyperechoic foci with quick movement. The origin of the portal venous gas can be identified by following the hyperechoic foci along the branches of the portal vein, providing an estimate of the location of intestinal pneumatosis. This approach may be useful for predicting the patient's prognosis. Our report describes 2 cases of portal venous gas while estimating the area of intestinal pneumatosis, which were evaluated with real-time ultrasound.