Mesenteric vein thrombosis: Difference between revisions
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==Background==
==Background==
[[File:Gray591.png|thumb|The abdomen viewed from the front, showing the portal venous system, showing the superior mesenteric vein and its tributaries. (Lienal vein is an old term for splenic vein.)]]
[[File:Gray591.png|thumb|The abdomen viewed from the front, showing the portal venous system, showing the superior mesenteric vein and its tributaries. (Lienal vein is an old term for splenic vein.)]]
*Local thrombus formation in mesenteric veins, which impairs venous return of the bowel
*Local thrombus formation in mesenteric veins, which impairs venous return of the bowel
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*A previous history of DVT is reported in approximately 20-40 percent of patients with mesenteric venous thrombosis
*A previous history of DVT is reported in approximately 20-40 percent of patients with mesenteric venous thrombosis


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{{Intestinal ischemia types}}
{{Intestinal ischemia types}}
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==Clinical Features==
==Clinical Features==
''Depends on subtype and disease can exist along a continuum. ''
''Depends on subtype and disease can exist along a continuum. ''
*Acute- expect typical features such as severe abdominal pain that is out of proportion to exam findings. Rebound and guarding may occur. Time course usually over days.
*Acute- expect typical features such as severe abdominal pain that is out of proportion to exam findings. Rebound and guarding may occur. Time course usually over days.
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*Exam may show distended abdomen or positive fecal occult blood
*Exam may show distended abdomen or positive fecal occult blood
*Rebound and guarding may occur if bowel wall edema progresses to ischemia
*Rebound and guarding may occur if bowel wall edema progresses to ischemia


==Differential Diagnosis==
==Differential Diagnosis==
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{{Abdominal Pain DDX Diffuse}}
{{Abdominal Pain DDX Diffuse}}
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==Evaluation==
==Evaluation==
[[File:PMC3542301 kjr-14-38-g001.png|thumb|CT scan showing acute superior mesenteric vein thrombosis (black arrow) with bowel wall thickening (white arrowhead), mesenteric edema (black arrowhead) and ascites. Note the normal SMA enhancement (white arrow) and ratio of SMV to SMA diameters > 2.]]
[[File:PMC3542301 kjr-14-38-g001.png|thumb|CT scan showing acute superior mesenteric vein thrombosis (black arrow) with bowel wall thickening (white arrowhead), mesenteric edema (black arrowhead) and ascites. Note the normal SMA enhancement (white arrow) and ratio of SMV to SMA diameters > 2.]]
[[File:PMC3881378 CRIM.SURGERY2013-952383.001.png|thumb|Contrast enhanced CT (axial and coronal views) of the abdomen demonstrated a filling defect in the superior mesenteric vein (arrow), suggesting thrombus.]]
[[File:PMC3881378 CRIM.SURGERY2013-952383.001.png|thumb|Contrast enhanced CT (axial and coronal views) of the abdomen demonstrated a filling defect in the superior mesenteric vein (arrow), suggesting thrombus.]]
===Workup===
===Workup===
*'''Labs''': CBC, CMP, Lipase, UA, HCG(when applicable), Lactate, Coags.
*'''Labs''': CBC, CMP, Lipase, UA, HCG(when applicable), Lactate, Coags.
*'''Imaging'''
*'''Imaging'''
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**Magnetic resonance venography is another option if testing is non-diagnostic.
**Magnetic resonance venography is another option if testing is non-diagnostic.
**Doppler ultrasonography can detect thrombosis in larger veins but is less sensitive<ref>Singal AK, Kamath PS, Tefferi A. Mesenteric venous thrombosis. Mayo Clin Proc. 2013 Mar;88(3):285-94. doi: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2013.01.012. Epub 2013 Feb 27. PMID: 23489453.</ref>
**Doppler ultrasonography can detect thrombosis in larger veins but is less sensitive<ref>Singal AK, Kamath PS, Tefferi A. Mesenteric venous thrombosis. Mayo Clin Proc. 2013 Mar;88(3):285-94. doi: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2013.01.012. Epub 2013 Feb 27. PMID: 23489453.</ref>


===Diagnosis===
===Diagnosis===
*Mesenteric vein filling defect is diagnostic
*Mesenteric vein filling defect is diagnostic
**Bowel thickening, bowel hypoattenuation, bowel enhancement, fat-stranding pneumatosis, potential ascites may also be seen<ref> American Journal of Roentgenology. 2009;192: 408-416. 10.2214/AJR.08.1138</ref>
**Bowel thickening, bowel hypoattenuation, bowel enhancement, fat-stranding pneumatosis, potential ascites may also be seen<ref> American Journal of Roentgenology. 2009;192: 408-416. 10.2214/AJR.08.1138</ref>
*Labs, other forms of imaging, and physical exam do not have high enough sensitivity to reliably exclude this diagnosis.
*Labs, other forms of imaging, and physical exam do not have high enough sensitivity to reliably exclude this diagnosis.


==Management==
==Management==
===Non-Operative===
===Non-Operative===
*[[Anticoagulation]] is the mainstay of treatment
 
**Depending on disposition, can utilize [[unfractionated heparin]], [[LMWH]], or [[DOACs]]
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Anticoagulation|Anticoagulation]] is the mainstay of treatment
**Depending on disposition, can utilize [[Special:MyLanguage/unfractionated heparin|unfractionated heparin]], [[Special:MyLanguage/LMWH|LMWH]], or [[Special:MyLanguage/DOACs|DOACs]]
**Consider if there are no planned operative management
**Consider if there are no planned operative management
*[[IVF]], [[electrolyte repletion]], and [[pain control]]
*[[Special:MyLanguage/IVF|IVF]], [[Special:MyLanguage/electrolyte repletion|electrolyte repletion]], and [[Special:MyLanguage/pain control|pain control]]
*Bowel Rest
*Bowel Rest
*Bowel decompression
*Bowel decompression
*[[Antibiotics]]
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Antibiotics|Antibiotics]]
 


===Operative===
===Operative===
*Reserved for patients with overt signs of intestinal necrosis or perforation
*Reserved for patients with overt signs of intestinal necrosis or perforation


==Disposition==
==Disposition==
*Consider admission depending on clinical status
*Consider admission depending on clinical status


==See Also==
==See Also==
*[[Portal vein thrombosis]]
 
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Portal vein thrombosis|Portal vein thrombosis]]
 


==External Links==
==External Links==
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==References==
==References==
<references/>
<references/>


[[Category:GI]]
[[Category:GI]]
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Latest revision as of 23:46, 4 January 2026


Background

The abdomen viewed from the front, showing the portal venous system, showing the superior mesenteric vein and its tributaries. (Lienal vein is an old term for splenic vein.)
  • Local thrombus formation in mesenteric veins, which impairs venous return of the bowel
    • A rare (< 5% of all cases) subset of mesenteric ischemia that has a high rate of mortality approaching 50%.
    • Can be associated with concurrent portal vein thrombosis
  • Risk factors include intraabdominal inflammation (pancreatitis, IBD) and hypercoagulability (protein C/S deficiency, malignancy).[1]
  • A previous history of DVT is reported in approximately 20-40 percent of patients with mesenteric venous thrombosis

Intestinal Ischemic Disorder Types

  • Ischemic colitis
    • Accounts for 80-85% of intestinal ischemia
    • Due to non-occlusive disease with decreased blood flow to the colon.
    • Causes decreased perfusion leading to sub-mucosal or mucosal ischemia only.
    • Typical to the "watershed areas" of the colon (Splenic flexure or Sigmoid)
  • Acute mesenteric ischemia
    • Due to complete occlusion of mesenteric vessels
    • Complete transmural ischemia


Clinical Features

Depends on subtype and disease can exist along a continuum.

  • Acute- expect typical features such as severe abdominal pain that is out of proportion to exam findings. Rebound and guarding may occur. Time course usually over days.
  • Subacute- abdominal pain can be vague and symptoms may be insidious over a period of days to weeks.
  • Chronic- patients usually are asymptomatic and thrombosis is usually found on imaging incidentally. Some patients may have post-prandial colicky abdominal pain that resolves.
  • Exam may show distended abdomen or positive fecal occult blood
  • Rebound and guarding may occur if bowel wall edema progresses to ischemia


Differential Diagnosis

Diffuse Abdominal pain


Evaluation

CT scan showing acute superior mesenteric vein thrombosis (black arrow) with bowel wall thickening (white arrowhead), mesenteric edema (black arrowhead) and ascites. Note the normal SMA enhancement (white arrow) and ratio of SMV to SMA diameters > 2.
Contrast enhanced CT (axial and coronal views) of the abdomen demonstrated a filling defect in the superior mesenteric vein (arrow), suggesting thrombus.

Workup

  • Labs: CBC, CMP, Lipase, UA, HCG(when applicable), Lactate, Coags.
  • Imaging
    • From the ED standpoint a multiphase contrast CT is the most accurate and timely (Non-contrast, arterial phase, and venous phase).
    • Oral contrast can help delineate bowel thickness.
    • Magnetic resonance venography is another option if testing is non-diagnostic.
    • Doppler ultrasonography can detect thrombosis in larger veins but is less sensitive[2]


Diagnosis

  • Mesenteric vein filling defect is diagnostic
    • Bowel thickening, bowel hypoattenuation, bowel enhancement, fat-stranding pneumatosis, potential ascites may also be seen[3]
  • Labs, other forms of imaging, and physical exam do not have high enough sensitivity to reliably exclude this diagnosis.


Management

Non-Operative


Operative

  • Reserved for patients with overt signs of intestinal necrosis or perforation


Disposition

  • Consider admission depending on clinical status


See Also


External Links

References

  1. ↑ Harnik IG, Brandt LJ. Mesenteric venous thrombosis. Vasc Med. 2010 Oct;15(5):407-18. doi: 10.1177/1358863X10379673. PMID: 20926500.
  2. ↑ Singal AK, Kamath PS, Tefferi A. Mesenteric venous thrombosis. Mayo Clin Proc. 2013 Mar;88(3):285-94. doi: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2013.01.012. Epub 2013 Feb 27. PMID: 23489453.
  3. ↑ American Journal of Roentgenology. 2009;192: 408-416. 10.2214/AJR.08.1138
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