Mesenteric venous thrombosis in Uganda: a retrospective study of five cases

Mesenteric venous thrombosis is a rare but lethal form of mesenteric ischemia. Diagnosis before frank thrombosis and gangrene is a challenge. Documented experience in the East African region is scanty. This short series suggest renal dysfunction as a consequence of delayed diagnosis, intussusception as a differential and highlights the challenges of management with limited investigative capacity.

The design was a descriptive retrospective review of 5 patient data files using pre-determined parameters. The analysis was done manually using a spreadsheet.

Five patients were reported on over a 2-year period. Two died within the First 10 weeks. One was lost to follow up. Two were surviving with complications of short bowel syndrome.

These reports were typically characterized by delayed diagnosis. Renal dysfunction was a consistent feature. Intussusception was a definite differential. For the clinician, heightened index of suspicion is necessary to interpret less than a typical acute abdomen presentation in absence of full range investigative capacity.