Prepancreatic formation of portal vein associated with prepancreatic superior mesenteric artery and splenic vein

PS CHITRA, K MAHESHWARI, V ANA

Abstract

Prepancreatic portal vein is an unusual condition. Around 100 cases of prepancreatic preduodenal portal vein have been reported. But only 11 cases of prepancreatic postduodenal portal vein have been reported till now. Here, we report a peculiar case of prepancreatic formation of portal vein associated with prepancreatic superior mesenteric artery. The formation of prepancreatic portal vein by the union of superior mesenteric vein with the splenic vein which came anteriorly by piercing the body of pancreas to form the portal vein in front of the neck of pancreas is an exceptional occurrence which has never been reported in world literature so far. Radiologists and surgeons need to be aware of these unfamiliar prepancreatic vessels to avoid major intraoperative injuries.