Coil embolization of a solitary congenital intrahepatic hepatoportal fistula.

Congenital hepatic artery-to-portal vein fistula, a rare type of arteriovenous malformation that may be intrahepatic or extrahepatic, is an uncommon cause of severe infantile portal hypertension. Many researchers believe that acquired intrahepatic arterioportal fistulas are best treated by embolization and that extrahepatic arterioportal fistulas require surgical intervention. The experience with congenital intrahepatic arterioportal fistulas is very limited and has required both embolization and surgical intervention. We report a case of solitary congenital arterioportal fistula successfully treated with coil embolization.