Portal Vein Thrombosis

Portal vein thrombosis

        Portal vein occlusion results from thrombosis, blood clot that brings blood from the intestines to the liver. The majority of the persons who experience portal vein thrombosis have no symptoms. The fluid accumulates in the abdomen, the spleen increases and drastically bleeding occurs in the esophagus. With the help of ultrasonography you can have your diagnosis confirmed. Because the portal vein is blocked, the pressure in the portal vein enlarges. The enlarge pressure, hypertension, causes the spleen to increase.

       The increased pressure also results in dilated veins in the esophagus and in the stomach. These can bleed abundant. The persons who suffer of cirrhosis and have portal vein thrombosis will cause their condition to deteriorate.

Portal vein thrombosis causes

       25% of people who suffer from cirrhosis experience portal vein thrombosis. It also can be caused by any diseases that are making blood to clot. This differs by age. At the newborns occurs because of an infection at the umbilical cord stump, at children because of polycythemia, meaning the excess of red blood cells, some cancers or pregnancy. Several of these conditions are resulting in the blockage. But the cause can also be undiscovered.

Portal vein thrombosis diagnosis

       Portal vein thrombosis has a serious long term complications. The doctors diagnoses portal vein thrombosis in patients who experience esophageal bleeding, an increased spleen, children with infection at the umbilical cord or appendicitis.

       There are although some difficulties in diagnosing this kind of thrombosis. this thing happens because of the non specific nature of the symptoms and signs. Ultrasonography is a technique with the help of which the specialists can diagnose portal vein thrombosis. Ultrasonography shows if the blood flow is low or absent. In some cases, tomography or magnetic resonance imaging is very necessary.

Portal vein thrombosis pictures

        Another technique in helping specialists to diagnose portal vein thrombosis is angiography. Angiography is used if a procedure is planed to create an alternate route for the blood flow.

Portal vein thrombosis treatment

       Sometimes it is used a drug for dissolving the clots, if a blood clot is blocking the vein. The effect of this treatment is vague and the treatment is called thrombolysis. If the blocking of the blood is developing gradually, then an anticoagulant is sometimes used for a long period for helping to prevent clots from increasing.

       It is very important to know that anticoagulants are not dissolving the existing clots. At newborns and children the infection of the umbilical cord or acute appendicitis is treated. The problem resulted from hypertension can also be treated. Some rubber bands are inserted through a tube called endoscope, which is inserted through the mouth inside the esophagus. The antihypertensive drugs reduce the pressure in the portal vein and are preventing bleeding from the esophagus.

       If these treatments don't work may be done a procedure to create an alternate rout for the blood flow. The procedure is called bypassing of the liver. For some persons a liver transplant is necessary.