Portal vein thrombosis as the first sign of nephrotic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: A 52-year-old man presented to hospital having experienced abdominal pain, abdominal distention and oliguria for 1 week. An abdominal CT scan revealed thrombosis in the superior mesenteric vein and in the right branch and the trunk of the portal vein. INVESTIGATIONS: Physical examination, blood and urine analyses, color Doppler ultrasonography and abdominal CT scan. DIAGNOSIS: Nephrotic syndrome complicated by portal vein thrombosis. MANAGEMENT: Treatment with batroxobin, low-molecular-weight heparin, prostaglandin E, dipyridamole and methylprednisolone.