Pylephlebitis
A condition involving inflammation of the portal vein
Pylephlebitis[edit | edit source]
Pylephlebitis is a rare and serious condition characterized by inflammation and thrombosis of the portal vein, which can lead to portal hypertension and other complications. It is often a result of intra-abdominal infection, such as appendicitis or diverticulitis, that spreads to the portal venous system.
Pathophysiology[edit | edit source]
Pylephlebitis occurs when an infection in the abdominal cavity, typically originating from the gastrointestinal tract, spreads to the portal vein. The infection can cause inflammation of the vein wall, leading to the formation of a thrombus. This thrombus can obstruct blood flow through the portal vein, resulting in increased pressure in the portal venous system, known as portal hypertension.
Clinical presentation[edit | edit source]
Patients with pylephlebitis may present with a variety of symptoms, including:
The condition can lead to serious complications such as liver abscesses, sepsis, and multi-organ failure.
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
The diagnosis of pylephlebitis is typically made using imaging studies. Ultrasound and CT scan are commonly used to visualize the portal vein and detect any thrombus or inflammation. Blood cultures may also be performed to identify the causative organism.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Treatment of pylephlebitis involves addressing the underlying infection and managing the thrombus. This typically includes:
- Antibiotic therapy to treat the infection
- Anticoagulation therapy to prevent further thrombus formation
In some cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to address the source of infection or to manage complications.
Prognosis[edit | edit source]
The prognosis of pylephlebitis depends on the promptness of diagnosis and treatment. Early intervention with appropriate antibiotics and anticoagulation can improve outcomes, but the condition can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.
Related pages[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
