Yeungnam Univ J Med.  2011 Jun;28(1):99-104.

A Case of Essential Thrombocythemia Presenting as Esophageal Varix Bleeding and Multiple Thrombosis

• Yoon SY
• Choi JH
• Kang SM
• Cho JN
• Bae SH
• Ryoo HM

Abstract

Essential thrombocythemia (ET), a subcategory of chronic myeloproliferative disorder, is characterized by absolute thrombocytosis due to excessive clonal proliferation of platelets, hyperaggregability of platelets, and increased incidence of thrombosis and hemorrhage. We consider a diagnosis of ET when an unexplained and persistent thrombocytosis is observed. It is difficult to consider ET first when we meet a patient with esophageal varix bleeding or unusual multiple thromboses like mesenteric vein, splenic vein, and portal vein. This article reports a patient who presented initially with esophageal varix bleeding and unusual multiple thromboses, thereafter, she was diagnosed with ET after testing positive for the Janus Tyrosine Kinase 2 (JAK2) V617F mutation. In conclusion, in patients with varix bleeding and unusual multiple thromboses, myeloproliferative disorders like essential thrombocythemia should be considered as a potential cause and testing for the JAK2 mutation is warranted.

Keyword

Essential thrombocythemia; Esophageal varix; Thrombosis; JAK2

MeSH Terms

Blood Platelets
Esophageal and Gastric Varices
Hemorrhage
Humans
Incidence
Mesenteric Veins
Myeloproliferative Disorders
Portal Vein
Splenic Vein
Thrombocythemia, Essential
Thrombocytosis
Thrombosis
TYK2 Kinase
Varicose Veins
TYK2 Kinase