Congenital portacaval anastomosis with cirrhosis of the liver

A case of an unusual congenital portacaval anastomosis is reported. Portal cirrhosis developed in the patient and she died of hemorrhage from esophageal varices. This suggests that the existence of such a connection does not protect an individual from the development of hepatic cirrhosis. Similarly, its existence does not necessarily avoid the effects secondary to a cirrhotic liver.