Mesenteric venous thrombosis occurs when a blood clot blocks off one of the mesenteric veins, which are the major veins that drain blood from the intestine. This compromises the blood supply to the intestine and can result in intestinal gangrene and tissue death.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

There are a variety of causes of mesenteric venous thrombosis. Many of the disease processes that lead to this condition cause inflammation of the tissues through which the mesenteric veins run. Such inflammation damages the mesenteric veins and predisposes them to clot formation (thrombosis). Pancreatitis , diverticulitis , and less commonly appendicitis can all lead to inflammation and mesenteric venous thrombosis. Liver disease with cirrhosis is also associated with mesenteric venous thrombosis. Patients with "hypercoagulable states," in which the blood is more likely to clot, are also at risk for mesenteric venous thrombosis. Such hypercoagulable states can be inherited or associated with cancer or pregnancy.

Signs and tests

CT scan is the diagnostic tool of choice for mesenteric venous thrombosis, and can delineate the extent of thrombosis and the degree of vascular compromise to the intestine. Ultrasound of the abdomen and mesenteric veins is also used to determine the presence of clot in the veins.

Treatment

The mainstay of treatment for mesenteric venous thrombosis is the administration of medication that thins the blood. Heparin is the most commonly used drug. In selected cases, medicine to dissolve the clot can be directly infused into the clot itself (thrombolysis.) If patients have signs and symptoms of peritonitis , surgery is usually required to remove intestine that has died due to compromise of its blood supply. At times, an ileostomy or colostomy may be necessary.

Expectations (prognosis)

The prognosis for this condition is quite variable depending on the cause. Prompt therapy prior to the onset of intestinal gangrene, along with treatment of the underlying cause, can result in good outcomes.

Complications

The most feared complication of mesenteric venous thrombosis is intestinal ischemia , in which some or all of the intestine dies because of poor blood supply from the blocked mesenteric veins.

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if you are experiencing severe or recurrent abdominal pains.