Portomesenteric venous thrombosis as a rare cause of acute abdomen in a young patient: What should be the process of diagnosis and management?

This report aimed to discuss indications for radiological evaluation, laboratory investigation for thrombophilic risk factors, and the duration of anticoagulation therapy in porto-mesenteric venous thrombosis, based on a young patient who presented with acute abdomen and ascites. We investigated the acquired and genetic thrombophilic risk factors and the diagnostic process. Abdominal CT and Doppler US were found to be useful radiological tools in both diagnosis and follow-up of portomesenteric thrombosis. The investigated thrombophilic factors, PT G20210A, MTHFR C677T and MTHFR A1298C, were positive for heterozygous mutations and high levels of lupus anticoagulant and factor VIII were detected. Rapid ascites resolution and an improvement in abdominal pain after meals were observed following anticoagulation. Follow-up examination after six months showed that the portomesenteric thrombosis had completely resolved. Evaluation by CT is recommended for patients with acute abdomen and ascites, especially if ultrasonography failed to show any specific pathology. Several acquired or genetic thrombophilic factors were identified in a patient in whom local precipitating factors were absent. For patients with genetic thrombophilic risk factors and thrombosis at an uncommon site in the body, lifelong treatment with anticoagulants is recommended.