This view of the pathophysiology is supported by the fact that i) liver function abnormalities do not occur in IPH, ii) abnormal eNOS and VCAM-1 expression was only seen in splenic but not hepatic tissue, iii) the signs of portal hypertension resolved in our patient after splenectomy, and iv) both the adult patients reported before and our young patient have not developed recurrent signs of portal hypertension, liver pathologies or complications after splenectomy. The gene discussed is VCAM1; the disease is portal hypertension.