Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition

Liver Vascular Anomalies & Portal Hypertension Clinic

The Pediatric Liver Vascular Anomalies and Portal Hypertension Clinic cares for infants, children and teens with a variety of conditions affecting blood flow through the liver. Our expertise includes treating blockages in the portal vein (the vessel that brings blood from the digestive tract to the liver), which can lead to abnormally high pressure and cause bleeding or other complications.

The clinic's team includes pediatric liver specialists, imaging experts, interventional radiologists, and surgeons who specialize in vascular disorders of the liver, from common problems to the most rare and complex. We offer innovative treatments that restore normal blood flow through the liver, including minimally invasive procedures to re-open a blocked portal vein. We are one of the few medical centers in the nation using Rex shunt surgery to relieve portal hypertension (elevated pressure in the portal vein).

The liver's vascular – or circulatory – system is made up of arteries, veins, capillaries and lymph vessels that move blood and lymph (fluid containing white blood cells as well as proteins and fats) through the liver. In addition to portal vein problems, disorders affecting this system include hemangiomas (noncancerous skin growths formed from blood vessels) and arteriovenous malformations (abnormal blood vessel tangles that disrupt blood flow and can rupture).

As experts in preventing and treating vascular conditions, we offer the full range of therapeutic options, including medications, surgery, endoscopy and interventional radiology, which uses imaging to facilitate precise, minimally invasive procedures to resolve problems that once required traditional surgery.

Our locations (1)

    Related conditions

    • Abernethy malformation

    • Arterioportal vascular shunt

    • Congenital portosystemic vascular shunt

    • Esophageal varices

    • Gastric varices

    • Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia

    • Liver arteriovenous malformation

    • Liver hemangioma

    • Portal hypertension

    • Portal vein thrombosis

    Our team

    Awards & recognition

    • U S News and World Report badge recognizing UCSF Benioff among the Best Children's Hospitals Ranked in 11 Specialties, 2024-2025

      Ranked among the nation's best in 11 specialties

    • U S News and World Report badge recognizing UCSF Benioff among the Best Children's Hospitals for Gastroenterology and G I Surgery, 2024-2025

      One of the nation's best for gastroenterology & GI surgery

    Plan your visit

    Preparing for your appointment

    What to Bring

    • Photo I.D.
    • Health insurance card
    • Insurance authorization, if required
    • Doctor's referral, if required
    • Recent test results related to your child's condition
    • List of medications, including dosages, plus any your child is allergic to
    • List of questions you may have
    • Device or paper for taking notes

    For visitors

    Before you head to the hospital, check out our guidelines for visitors and caregivers.

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    Your Stay

    We offer valuable information to help you plan for your child's upcoming hospital stay. Find out about food services, family accommodations and more.

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    Your Child's Care Team

    Our doctors, nurses, child life specialists and other providers have special training to care for children. Meet your child's care team.

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    Interpreter Services & Communication Assistance

    Interpreter services in many languages and TDDs are available for families that need help communicating with care teams. Here's how to access them.

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    Support services

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    Child Life Services

    Activity rooms, pet therapy and more to help kids feel at home.

    Child Life

    Certified child life specialists ease the stress and anxiety of childhood illness through therapeutic play, schooling and family-focused support.

    Family Amenities

    Family-friendly amenities help you relax and take care of yourself while staying close to your child. We offer lounges, kitchens, showers, breastfeeding rooms and more.

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    Social Services

    Social workers ease the effect of illness, injury and hospitalization on your family with counseling and assistance to help you navigate the challenges.

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    Activity Rooms

    Activity rooms offer a relaxed environment for children of all ages. Features include a playroom, digital arts studio and teen lounge. Find out more.

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    Art Therapy

    Art therapy helps kids and families express themselves, making it easier to cope with pediatric health issues. Group and bedside services are available.

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    Music Therapy Program

    Board-certified music therapists help kids cope with illness and the feelings that come with it. Find out about group activities and bedside therapy.

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    School Program

    Our schoolroom services and individual learning programs help children hospitalized at UCSF continue their education and get ready to return to school.

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    School Re-Entry Program

    We help kids return to school after hospitalization by educating staff and students about their needs and recommending needed accommodations. Read more.

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    Individual Playtime & Instruction

    If your child can't be around other kids for medical reasons, you can sign up for private sessions in our activity and school rooms. Find out how.

    interpreters-2x

    Interpreter Services & Communication Assistance

    Interpreter services in many languages and TDDs are available for families that need help communicating with care teams. Here's how to access them.

    Family Resource Center

    We help families cope with the challenges of childhood illness and hospitalization in a relaxing environment where parents can get a much-needed break.

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    Parent Support Program

    Weekly activities, including knitting, scrapbooking, chair massage and more, help family caregivers get a much-needed break. Find out more.

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    Patient Relations

    Patient relations reps and nursing supervisors are here to answer questions and address concerns. Learn about your rights, how to reach us and more.

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    Spiritual Care

    Chaplains help UCSF patients, families and staff cope with the spiritual and emotional challenges of childhood illness. Learn more.

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    International Services

    If you're coming to UCSF from outside the U.S., we coordinate your child's appointments and provide other helpful services. Here's how to get started.

    Our research initiatives

    • ucsf-division-of-pediatric-gi-hepatology-and-nutrition-research-2x

      UCSF Division of Pediatric GI, Hepatology & Nutrition Research

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    Fetal surgery firsts

    The first open fetal surgery in the world was performed at UCSF in the early 1980s.

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