Clue to the cause of portal hypertension: Look at the raindrops

• Main Authors: Shubhra Mishra, Rahul Mahajan, Uma Saikia, Pankaj Gupta, Usha Dutta, Vishal Sharma, Harshal S Mandavdhare
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2020-04-01
• Series: JGH Open
• Subjects: arsenic toxicity; hepatology; non‐cirrhotic; portal hypertension; raindrop appearance
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1002/jgh3.12218

Portal hypertension is a clinical syndrome characterized by splenomegaly, with or without hypersplenism, and esphagogastric varices. Non‐cirrhotic portal hypertension (NCPH) belongs to the presinusoidal sub category of portal hypertension. We present the case of a young 35‐year‐old male who had presented with two episodes of upper gastrointestinal bleed. On endoscopy, he was found to have large esophageal varices. On general physical examination, there were diffuse hyperpigmented papules and nodules all over the body, with palmoplantar thickening. His liver function tests were normal. Computed tomography of the abdomen showed a dilated portal and splenic vein with splenomegaly and normal liver size and histopathology showed non‐cirrhotic portal fibrosis (NCPF). He had history of intake of oral indigenous medications for skin lesions. On investigating, patient was found to have chronic arsenicosis, which was likely the underlying etiology for NCPF as well. Hence, while evaluating patients of NCPF, it is imperative to rule out the use of indigenous medications, especially in the Indian scenario.