PA Anatomy: Abd: Case 3

The liver is filled with a branching tree-like appearance, filled with air. This is the portal system. The air got there from breakdown of the wall of the colon (producing first pneumatosis intestinalis) and then the air got into the SMV.

The SMA is shown in red on this enlarged image from the CT, and the SMV is in aqua. The SMV contains an air-fluid level, so it is half-full of blood and half-full of air, on its way to the liver via the portal system. Other smaller SMV branches in the mesentery also contain air.