Mesenteric vein thrombosis: A case report

The most frequent location of thrombosis development in acute mesenteric venous thrombosis is the superior mesenteric vein. It is an uncommon but potentially fatal condition. Patients with underlying medical conditions that interfere with the Virchow Triad hypercoagulability, stasis, and endothelial injury are more likely to experience it.

A 37-year-old female reported to our emergency department with a 5-day history of severe abdominal discomfort, vomiting, and constipation, as well as two episodes of bleeding per rectum. The patient had a clean medical history, no HTN, no diabetes, no chronic medication, no history of contraceptive pill use or non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug use, no history of chronic disease or operation. Patient was directly transferred to the intensive care unit for additional evaluation and preoperative stabilization.

A patient with acute mesenteric venous thrombosis and possible intestinal damage is the case we've presented. Upon presentation patient was unstable, we assessed her condition and transferred to the intensive care unit for stabilization and pre-operative preparation. She didn't respond to conservative management and we had to operate, we highly emphasize how crucial it is for early intervention in these type of conditions. Acute mesenteric venous thrombosis is a complicated case due to its nonspecific symptoms, it requires a multidisciplinary team approach between internal medicine and surgical team to plan for the most appropriate treatment strategy suitable for each patient as all options are associated with significant risks. Multiple options are available for the management of mesenteric venous thrombosis. In patients with peritoneal signs to suggestive bowel infarction or perforation or those who failed to progress with conservative management, operative intervention may be necessary. Other options include anticoagulation therapy, local or systemic thrombolysis, interventional or surgical thrombectomy.

Acute mesenteric venous thrombosis is a complex situation that calls for a multidisciplinary team approach between the surgical and internal medicine departments to determine the best course of action for each patient, as there are major risks involved with each alternative. If peritonism is present, it is preferable to assess and resuscitate as soon as possible and to proceed with surgery.