Pylephlebitis After Colonic Polypectomy Causing Fever and Abdominal Pain
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Updated: Apr 7, 2026

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Published on: March 15, 2024
Zane R Gallinger1, Gary May2, Paul Kortan2
1Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Abstract:
Pylephlebitis is a rare condition with a high mortality risk if not recognized and treated early. The most common symptoms include fever and abdominal pain, with the majority of cases manifesting with a polymicrobial bacteremia. We report an elderly woman with pylephlebitis presenting with fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting, likely secondary to a polypectomy 6 weeks prior. Abdominal CT revealed portal vein thrombus and blood cultures grew Streptococcus milleri and Haemophilus parainfluenza type V. Pylephlebitis should be considered when symptoms and signs of infection develop following endoscopic procedures, particularly in patients with an underlying hypercoaguable disease.
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