Pylephlebitis complicating peridiverticulitis without hepatic abscess: early detection with contrast-enhanced CT of the abdomen

P. Mailleux1,; Ph. Maldague²; B. Coulier1

doi:10.5334/jbr-btr.71

Original Article

Pylephlebitis complicating peridiverticulitis without hepatic abscess: early detection with contrast-enhanced CT of the abdomen

Authors:

P. Mailleux1, ,

Dept of Imaging, Clinique St Luc, Bouge, Belgium.

Ph. Maldague²,

Dept of Gastro-enterology, Clinique St Luc, Bouge, Belgium.

B. Coulier1

Dept of Imaging, Clinique St Luc, Bouge, Belgium.

Abstract

Pylephlebitis is a very rare and dangerous complication of inflammatory abdominal processes, mainly appendicitis (1) and diverticulitis (2). We describe a case of peridiverticular inflammation leading to a extensive phlebitis of the adjacent sigmoid vein, extending to the inferior mesenteric vein up to the proximal portal vein, with distal embolus into the left portal vein. Contrast CT and multiplanar reconstructions allowed early diagnosis, and with antibiotic and anticoagulation therapy, no liver abscess developed.

Keywords: Abdomen, acute conditions – Thrombophlebitis.

How to Cite: Mailleux1, P, Maldague² P, Coulier1 B. Pylephlebitis complicating peridiverticulitis without hepatic abscess: early detection with contrast-enhanced CT of the abdomen. JBR-BTR. 2012;95(1):13–4. DOI: http://doi.org/10.5334/jbr-btr.71

Published on 01 Jan 2012.

Peer Reviewed

CC BY 4.0