JAK2 V617F mutation, mesenteric vein thrombosis, and myeloproliferative disorders.

Mesenteric vein thrombosis is a rare disorder that is often the first manifestation of a systemic condition such as a hypercoagulable state or cancer. In particular, myeloproliferative disorders can present as mesenteric vein thrombosis even in the setting of relatively normal peripheral blood counts. A recent novel mutation in the Janus activated kinase 2 gene involving a gain-of-function substitute of valine to phenylalanine at position 617 (JAK2 V617F) has been discovered to be prevalent in patients with mesenteric vein thrombosis and myeloproliferative disorders. This article reports a patient who presented with mesenteric vein thrombosis and relatively normal peripheral blood counts. He was diagnosed with essential thrombocythemia after he tested positive for the JAK2 V617F mutation. Copyright (c) 2010 Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.