The Ewha Medical Journal  2014;37(2):116-120

doi:10.12771/emj.2014.37.2.116

Portal and Splenic Vein Thrombosis Successfully Treated with Anticoagulants in Acute Pancreatitis.

Ji Seok SEONG 1 ; Jung Hoon SONG ; Kyung Pyo CHO ; Jae Sung LEE ; Yong Moon WOO ; Beom Jin JEONG ; Young Jun CHO ; Yun Ju HAN

Affiliations

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Keywords

Portal vein thrombosis; Splenic vein thrombosis; Pancreatitis; Anticoagulants

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

Splanchnic vein thrombosis arising from complications of acute pancreatitis is very rare. It usually occurs as a form of portal, splenic and superior mesenteric vein thrombosis, either in combination or separately. It could develop portal hypertension, bowel ischemia and gastrointestinal variceal bleeding. Treatment of splanchnic vein thrombosis includes anticoagulants, thrombolysis, insertion of shunts, bypass surgery and liver transplantation. In some cases, anticoagulation therapy may be considered to prevent complications. However, the standard protocol for anticoagulation in splanchnic vein thrombosis has not been determined yet. We report a case of 43-year-old man who had portal and splenic vein thrombosis in acute pancreatitis. The patient was successfully treated with oral anticoagulants following low molecular weight heparin therapy.