Department of Radiology, University Hospital C320, 150 Bergen Street, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA.
We report two cases of portal vein visualization during ERCP in patients with pancreatitis, one from inadvertent cannulation of the superior mesenteric vein, and in the other, through a preexisting fistula. Prompt recognition of this potentially significant event will obviate confusion and unnecessary prolongation of the procedure.