Journal of Lipid and Atherosclerosis  2014;3(2):111-115

doi:10.12997/jla.2014.3.2.111

Idiopathic Splenic Vein Thrombosis Presenting as Splenic Infarction and Consequent Gastric Variceal Bleeding.

You Bin LEE 1 ; Sung Mok KIM ; Jin Seok HEO ; Hyeri SEOK ; In Seub SHIN ; Yeong Hee EUN ; Duk Kyung KIM

Affiliations

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Keywords

Splenic vein thrombosis; Left-sided portal hypertension; Gastric varices; Splenic infarction

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

English

Abstract

Left-sided portal hypertension and consequent gastric varices can occur in patients with isolated splenic vein thrombosis. It is a rare but clinically significant and curable cause of gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Our patient, a 20-year-old woman, with left flank pain was diagnosed with having idiopathic splenic vein thrombosis with resultant splenic infarction. Thorough workups for the possible etiologies of splenic vein thrombosis were all negative. After six months of anticoagulation, follow-up computed tomography revealed formation of gastric varices; one month following the discovery, she developed gastrointestinal bleeding. Splenectomy was performed, resulting in the resolution of gastric varices.