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Portal vein thrombosis is a rare condition where blood flow to the liver is blocked by a clot. It can be caused by cirrhosis, pancreatitis, or cancer. Treatment may include medication or surgery, depending on the severity. Symptoms vary depending on the type of thrombosis.
Portal vein thrombosis is a rare condition in which blood flow from the abdominal organs to the liver is hampered or completely blocked by a blood clot. It is one of the types of venous thrombosis, which is the existence of an immobile blood clot in a vein. This condition affects the hepatic portal vein, which is technically not a vein, but a vessel, because it doesn’t carry blood directly to the heart. It can be found in the abdomen.
Some of the typical causes of portal vein thrombosis include cirrhosis, pancreatitis, and diverticulitis. Cancer of the bile ducts, or cholangiocarcinoma, can also lead to the condition. It can also be a complication of a procedure called a splenectomy in which part or all of the spleen is removed.
In some cases, portal vein thrombosis can be treated with medication. Blood thinners will sometimes be enough to treat the condition. Anticoagulant medications can also be used to prevent future blood clots from forming, although this type of treatment is usually only effective for patients who have an acute form of the condition.
Portal vein thrombosis may need to be treated with surgery. Bypass surgery, a process in which healthy blood vessels from another part of the body are grafted to move blood around the clot, can be used to treat the condition. If the patient does not have adequate vessels for a bypass, a transplant may be required. In other cases, inserting a small tube known as a shunt can help clear blood flow.
The symptoms of portal vein thrombosis depend on how and how quickly the blood clot forms in the vessel. There are two main types of this condition: the more common chronic variety and the rare and difficult to diagnose acute thrombosis. Each type has its own symptoms.
If the condition is chronic, the symptoms are usually easy to detect. They may include vomiting blood, weight loss, and nausea. Some patients also have abdominal pain.
Acute portal vein thrombosis is more difficult to detect by symptoms because they are often mild and not overly destructive to the patient. As with the chronic type of the condition, the patient may feel nauseous or vomit blood, although this is not as likely. There may be fluid buildup in the abdominal area. Some patients also have a fever.
