J Korean Rheum Assoc.  2010 Dec;17(4):442-447. 10.4078/jkra.2010.17.4.442.

Thrombosis after a Splenectomy in a Patient with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus-related Thrombocytopenia

• Kim HN
• Lee CH
• Chang MH
• Kwac MS
• Kim JH
• Cha MS
• Choi YR
• Park SM

• KMID: 2201906
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4078/jkra.2010.17.4.442

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystemic inflammatory autoimmune disease mediated by autoantibodies and immune complexes. In SLE, a splenectomy to control the thrombocytopenia does not increase the total risk of thrombosis, but tends to increase arterial events. We experienced a patient with lupus- anticoagulant positive SLE who developed a venous thrombosis after a splenectomy for the control of thrombocytopenia, which was a very rare case.

Keyword

Systemic lupus erythematosus; Splenectomy; Thrombosis

MeSH Terms

Antigen-Antibody Complex
Autoantibodies
Autoimmune Diseases
Humans
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic
Splenectomy
Thrombocytopenia
Thrombosis
Venous Thrombosis
Antigen-Antibody Complex
Autoantibodies

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1. Contrast enhanced abdominal pelvic computed tomography scan on the first day. (A) Portal vein with low attenuated thrombus (white arrow). (B) Enlarged superior mesenteric vein (white arrow) and splenic vein (black arrow) with low attenuation representing an intraluminal thrombus.

• 

  Fig. 2. Contrast enhanced abdominal pelvic computed tomography scan after anticoagulation treatment for 1 week shows a decreased thrombus size in the portal vein (white arrow) (A), superior mesenteric vein (white arrow), and splenic vein (black arrow) (B). Multiple collateral vessels are noted at the pericholedochal area.

• 

  Fig. 3. Change in the platelet countsand aPTT before and after the splenectomy. aPTT: activated partial thromboplastin time.

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