Mesenteric Venous Thrombosis due to Protein S Deficiency

Seo, Won Tae; Park, Chang Young; Sohn, Chong Il; Jun, Woo Kyu; Kim, Byung Ik; Jeong, Eul Soon; Kim, Hung Dae; Kim, Yong Shin; Kim, Myung Sook

Abstract

Mesenteric venous thrombosis is rare but clinically important because it can cause ischemia or infarction in the small intestine. Unless it is diagnosed in time, the patient die eventually. However, the diagnosis is difficult because patients often present with nonspecific abdominal symptoms. Furthermore, if it occurs in young individuals without any known predisposing factor, the diagnosis may become more difficult. Recently, the development of modern imaging techniques (particularly ultrasonography, duplex scanning, and computed tomography) have enabled early recognition of this disease. We report a case of mesenteric venous thrombosis and deep vein thrombosis of left lower extremity. A patient was admitted to our hospital due to continuous, dull abdominal pain. The simple abdomen examination showed abnormal gas pattern probably due to small bowel edema. Abdominal computerized tomography revealed mesenteric venous thrombosis with bowel wall thickenings. Bowel resection was performed and the patient was recovered soon. Mesenteric venous thrombosis was known to be secondary to protein S deficiency later.