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Superior mesenteric vein thrombosis

Case contributed by Mostafa Elfeky
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Abdominal pain.

Patient Data

Age: 35 years
Gender: Male

CT abdomen with contrast

ct

Acute occlusive thrombus of the SMV extending along its whole length, partially extending to the portal and splenic veins with periportal collaterals. Associated mesenteric edema.

Normal CT features of the different small and large intestinal loops, with no abnormal enhancement, mural thickening or peri-intestinal mesenteric lesions. No CT signs of related bowel wall congestion or ischemia.

The liver is of normal size, and diminished tissue density (Mild fatty liver).

Case Discussion

The patient presented with abdominal pain and no characteristic certain differential and so, triphasic CT abdomen with entero-colonography preparation was done. The portal venous phase series (shown) shows occlusion of the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) with no signs of bowel ischemia.

Acute superior mesenteric vein thrombosis is one of the less common causes of acute mesenteric ischemia. Despite thrombosis of the SMV, small bowel necrosis is less likely to occur, presumably due to persistent arterial supply and some venous drainage via collaterals. Acute thrombosis may be difficult to detect in non-contrast studies or at the arterial phase as the thrombus may be iso- or hypodense and not usually hyperdense. The diagnosis is made on portal venous phase contrast-enhanced studies.

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