Portal vein thrombosis is a form of venous thrombosis affecting the hepatic portal vein, which can lead to portal hypertension and reduction in the blood supply to the liver.
Video Portal vein thrombosis
Signs and symptoms
Portal vein thrombosis can cause fever, symptoms of indigestion, and gradually worsening abdominal pain. However, it can also develop without causing symptoms, leading to portal hypertension before it is diagnosed. Other symptoms can develop based on the cause. For example, if portal vein thrombosis develops due to liver cirrhosis, bleeding or other signs of liver disease may be present. If portal vein thrombosis develops due to pylephlebitis, signs of infection such as fever, chills, night sweats may be present.
Maps Portal vein thrombosis
Causes
Causes can include pancreatitis, cirrhosis, diverticulitis, and cholangiocarcinoma. It is also a known complication of surgical removal of the spleen.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of portal vein thrombosis is usually made by ultrasound, computed tomography with contrast or magnetic resonance imaging. D-dimer levels in the blood may be elevated as a result of fibrin breakdown.
Treatment
Treatments include anticoagulants, shunts, bypass surgery, and transplants.
See also
- Pylephlebitis
- Budd-Chiari syndrome
References
External links
- Merck
Source of article : Wikipedia