Mesenteric Venous Thrombophlebitis:
A Complication of Diverticulitis
Rashmi Jayadevan, MSIV
Albany Medical College
Dr. Gillian Lieberman
Outline
Our Patient
Diverticulitis
Pathogenesis
Complications
Unique Complication
Companion Cases
Back to our patient
Our Patient J.S.: History
HPI
60 year-old male with one week history of nausea, vomiting,
epigastric pain and intermittent diarrhea
Unable to tolerate PO intake except for clear liquids
PE: T 101
Labs: WBC-33,300, Mildly elevated LFT’s and Alk Phos
PMH
Adenocarcinoma of the lung, Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, MI, TIA,
SBOx2, skin cancer, hyperlipidemia, HTN
Surgical Hx
Splenectomy, cholecystectomy, CABG, Mohs resection
Our Patient J.S.: RUQ Doppler U/S
• Antegrade
minimally pulsatile
flow consistent with
with portal
waveform
• Confirms that
ultrasound images
included the portal
vein
BIDMC PACS
Our Patient J.S.: RUQ U/S
Echogenic filling defect in
portal vein
BIDMC PACS
BIDMC PACS
Our Patient J.S.: Portal Venous
Flow Studies
BIDMC PACS BIDMC PACS
Non-Occlusive Portal Venous Thrombosis:
•No wall to wall flow seen
•Filling defect does not show signs of vascularity
•Flow seen distal to thrombus
Portal Venous Thrombosis:
Differential Diagnosis
Local Factors
Liver cirrhosis
Hepatobiliary Malignancy
Intra-abdominal infection
Diverticulitis
Pancreatitis
Appendicitis
IBD
Injury to portal vein
Splenectomy
Abdominal Surgery
Systemic Factors
Inherited
Factor V Leiden
Protein C/S deficiency
Antithrombin III deficiency
Acquired
OCPs
Pregnancy
Malignancy
Myeloproliferative Disorders
Hoekstra J, Jassen HA. Vascular liver disorders (II): portal vein thrombosis. The Netherlands Journal of
Medicine. 2009. Febl; 67(2): 46-53
Lets continue on to see the next study that
our patient received
Our Patient J.S.: Portal Venous
Thrombosis on CT
Hypodense
filling defect
at the portal
confluence
BIDMC PACS Axial C+ CT Image
Our Patient J.S.: Portal Venous
Thrombosis on CT
Thrombosis of
posterior branch of
right portal vein
BIDMC PACS Axial C+ CT Image
AJR Online:
http://www.ajronline.org/cgi/content-nw/full/183/4/1055/FIG1
BIDMC PACS Coronal Reformatted C+ CT
Thrombus at the
portal vein/SMV
confluence
Our Patient J.S.: Portal Venous
Thrombosis on CT
But wait…there’s more!
Our Patient J.S.: Diverticulitis on CT
Diverticulosis
of the sigmoid
colon
BIDMC PACS Axial C+ CT Image
Fat
strandin
g
Diffuse
colonic
wall
thickening
Our Patient J.S.: Complication of Diverticulitis on CT
BIDMC PACS Axial C+ CT Image BIDMC PACS Coronal Reformatted C+ CT Image
BIDMC PACS Axial C+ CT Image
Thrombus
in the Inferior
Mesenteric Vein
Our Patient J.S.: Complication of Diverticulitis on CT
Diagnosis
Imaging Findings
Diverticulitis
Thrombosis of Inferior Mesenteric Vein
Thrombosis of Portal Vein
Air in Inferior Mesenteric Vein
Differential for Portal Venous Gas:
Bowel ischemia, thrombophlebitis, iatrogenic, IBD
Diagnosis:
Diverticulitis Complicated by Mesenteric Venous
Thrombophlebitis
Diverticular Disease
More prevalent in western countries
Prevalence increases with age
Younger than 40: 10%
80 or older: 50-70%
Terminology:
Diverticula: saccular outpouchings of mucosa and submucosa-
most commonly in the sigmoid colon
Diverticulosis/diverticular disease: uninflamed diverticula
Diverticulitis: Inflammation of diverticulum or diverticula
Pathogenesis of Diverticulosis
Horton K M et al. Radiographics
2000;20:399-418
Pathogenesis of Diverticulitis
Obstruction of the narrow neck
Distension of the Sac
Bacterial Overgrowth
Vascular Compromise
Micro Perforation and pericolic
inflammation
Jacobs D. N Eng J Med. 2007. Nov; 357(20)
2057-2066.
Clinical Presentation of
Diverticulitis
Clinical presentation: Can be sufficient to
make diagnosis
Abdominal pain-Left lower quadrant
Fever
Leukocytosis
Peritoneal signs indicating complications
Imaging is important:
If the diagnosis is uncertain
If there is failure to improve clinically with empiric
treatment
If there are signs of complications
Imaging Characteristics of
Diverticulitis: X-ray
Abdominal X-Ray:
Abdominal X-Ray is important in any patient with
significant acute abdominal pain
R/O free air or obstruction
Uncomplicated diverticulitis does not have specific
findings on X-ray
Findings on X-ray in complicated diverticulitis can
include:
Pneumoperitoneum
Bowel obstruction
Ileus
Abnormal gas or soft tissue mass
Sarba D, Longo EW. Diagnostic Imaging of Diverticulitis. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2008. Nov/Dec; 42(10): 1139-114
Imaging Characteristics of
Diverticulitis: Contrast Enema
Confined
perforation or
abscess
Stollman N, Jeffrey BR. The Lancet 2004. Feb; 363: 631-639
Imaging Characteristics of
Diverticulitis: Contrast Enema
Intramural
sinus tract
Stollman N, Jeffrey BR. The Lancet 2004. Feb; 363: 631-639
CT with IV/oral contrast is now the
modality of choice
Air filled
outpouchings
Fat Stranding
Signs of
complication:
peridiverticular
abscess
Colonic
thickening
Jacobs D. N Eng J Med. 2007. Nov; 357(20) 2057-2066
Imaging Characteristics of
Diverticulitis: CT
Complicated Diverticulitis
Diverticulitis plus any of the following
Abscess
Perforation
Fistula
Obstruction
Mesenteric venous thrombophlebitis
Now lets discuss the complication in this case:
Mesenteric Venous Thrombophlebitis
Also termed Pyelephlebitis
Acute infection of the portal system from a primary
gastrointestinal inflammatory source
Colonic diverticulitis
Appendicitis
IBD
Supporative pancreatitis
Pelvic Infections
Rare complication of diverticulitis
Thrombosis of IMV is especially rare
Mortality can be high
Mesenteric Venous Thrombophlebitis
Mesenteric Venous Thrombophlebitis:
Anatomical Correlation
Why the Inferior Mesenteric Vein (IMV) in Diverticulitis?
Inferior mesenteric vein drains the descending and sigmoid colon
Cichoz-Lach et al.: http://www.jpp.krakow.pl/journal/archive/0808_s2/articles/16_article.html
Pathogenesis of Mesenteric Venous
Thrombophlebitis
Clinical Presentation:
Depends on the location and severity of primary
inflammatory process
Can be very nonspecific
Fever
Chills
Upper abdominal pain
Leukocytosis
Review of 22 cases of pylephlebitis caused by
diverticulitis, 30% of patients had localizing signs of a
primary source of infection1
Clinical Presentation of Mesenteric
Venous Thrombophlebitis
Nonspecific
1. Balthazar EJ, Gollapudi P. J Comput Assist Tomogr 2000. 24(5)
Imaging is very important for diagnosis!
Imaging
CT is modality of choice
CT findings can include
Localizing the primary source of infection
Involvement of the mesenteric branches and
portal vein
Intravascular air
Peripheral or central thrombi
Intrahepatic abnormalities, i.e. abscess
Imaging Characteristics of Mesenteric
Venous Thrombophlebitis
Companion Patient #1:
34 year-old male with pylephlebitis secondary to diverticulitis of sigmoid colon
Inflammation of
mesentery and air in
peripheral branches of
IMV
Air in IMV
Balthazar EJ, Gollapudi P. J Comput Assist Tomogr. 2000. 24(5): 755-760
Companion Patient #1:
Follow up CT 7 days Later
Thrombus in IMV Portal Vein Thrombosis
Balthazar EJ, Gollapudi P. J Comput Assist Tomogr. 2000. 24(5): 755-760
Other Imaging Modalities of Mesenteric
Venous Thrombophlebitis
Selective angiography: Filling defect in the lumen
during the venous phase
Contrast Enema: Colovenous fistula may be seen
Doppler Ultrasound can demonstrate portal venous
thrombosis
Now lets discuss a complimentary case
Companion Patient # 2: Thrombophlebitis
of SMV and Portal Vein
16 year old male presents with fever, nausea, vomiting and
leukocytosis
U/S images on hospital day 9
Hospital Day 9: U/S and CT showed thrombus in portal vein and
superior mesenteric vein
RUQ U/S: White arrowheads show thrombus
and thickened extrahepatic portal vein
RUQ Doppler U/S: Antegrade continuous
blood flow demonstrates patency of
portal vein
Images: H. Nishimori et al. Surg Today (2004) 34:173-176
Companion Patient # 2: Thrombophlebitis
of Portal Vein and SMV on CT
Axial C+ CT Image: White arrowhead shows thrombus of the
portal vein with extension into the SMV
Image: H. Nishimori et al. Surg Today (2004) 34:173-176
Companion Patient # 2: Appendicitis on CT
Axial C+ CT Image: Black arrow shows abscess caused by
appendicitis
Image: H. Nishimori et al. Surg Today (2004) 34:173-176
Discussion of Companion
Patient # 2
Abscess formation from appendicitis contributed to
thrombophlebitis of the SMV and portal vein
Similar pathogenesis as thrombophlebitis of the IMV
seen in diverticulitis
Appendicitis was previously a more common cause
of this complication
Advances in antibiotic treatment and improved surgical
techniques has decreased the incidence greatly
H. Nishimori et al. Surg Today (2004) 34:173-176
Lets go back to our discussion of Mesenteric
Venous Thrombophlebitis as a complication of diverticulitis
Companion Patient # 3: Hepatic Complications of
Mesenteric Venous Thrombophlebitis
Hepatic Complications
Hepatic Abscesses:
Pyelephlebitis can extend into the
portal vein and into the hepatic
parenchyma
Commonly Isolated Bacteria1:
Escheriichia coli
Proteus mirabilis
Bacteroides fragilis
Aerobic gram-negative
bacilli
1. Balthazar EJ, Gollapudi P. J Comput Assist Tomogr. 2000. 24(5): 755-760
*
Hepatic
Abscesses
*
*
Thrombus in
Portal Vein
Axial C+ CT image: Balthazar EJ, Gollapudi P.
Treatment of Mesenteric
Venous Thrombophlebitis
Broad spectrum antibiotics that target
Enteric gram-negative bacilli
Anaerobes
Streptococcus species
Anticoagulation
Was controversial in the past but seems to be currently
accepted
Surgery
Dependent on source on infection, clinical presentation of
patient (i.e. sepsis), and complications
Follow Up of Our Patient J.S.
Patient J.S. Hospital Course:
Anticoagulation: Started on Heparin drip and
transitioned to Coumadin
Work up by Heme/Onc for coagulopathy was negative
Will continue Coumadin for 6 months
Antibiotics: Started on broad spectrum antibiotics
Vancomycin, Ciprofloxacin, Flagyl
Continued on oral Ciprofloxacin and Flagyl for 14 days
Bowel Rest
Summary
Diverticulitis overview
Mesenteric Venous Thrombophlebitis = Pylephlebitis
Rare complication of diverticulitis
Imaging is crucial to diagnosis and prompt treatment
Air in mesenteric veins
Thrombus in mesenteric/portal veins
Hepatic Abscesses
Acknowledgements
Dr. Jay Pahade, BIDMC Radiology
Dr. Gillian Lieberman, BIDMC Radiology
Maria Levantakis, BIDMC Radiology
References
Balthazar EJ, Gollapudi P. Septic Thrombophlebitis of the Mesenteric and Portal Veins: CT Imaging. J Comput Assist
Tomogr. 2000. 24(5): 755-760
Domajnko B, Kumar A, Salloum R. Mesenteric Venous Thrombophlebitis-Septic thrombophlebitis of the Inferior
Mesenteric Vein: An Unusual Manifestation of Diverticulitis. The American Surgeon. 2007. April; 73: 404-406
Hoekstra J, Jassen HA. Vascular liver disorders (II): portal vein thrombosis. The Netherlands Journal of Medicine. 2009.
Febl; 67(2): 46-53
Horton KM, Corl FM, Fishman EK. CT evaluation of the colon: Inflammatory disease. Radiographics 2000. March; 20(2):
399-418
Jacobs D. Clinical Practice: Diverticulitis. N Eng J Med. 2007. Nov; 357(20) 2057-2066.
Lee S, Kang YS, Astromoff N. Septic Thrombophlebitis of the Inferior Mesenteric Vein Associated with Diverticulitis CT
Diagnosis. Clinical Imaging. 1996. 20:115-117
Molitch H. Septic Thrombophlebitis of the Inferior Mesenteric Vein Complicating Sigmoind Diverticulitis: CT Findings. AJR.
1996. Oct; 167: 1014-1016
Ng SS. Et al. Portal venous thrombosis in a Chinese patient with fulminant Crohns colitis: A case report with literature
review. World J Gastroenterol. 2006. Sept; 12(34) 5582-5586.
Nishimori H. et al. Septic Thrombophlebitis of the Portal and Superior Mesenteric Veins as a Complication of Appendicitis:
Report of a Case. Surg Today. 2004. 34: 173-176
Sarba D, Longo EW. Diagnostic Imaging of Diverticulitis. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2008. Nov/Dec; 42(10): 1139-114
Stollman N, Jeffrey BR. Diverticular Disease of the colon. The Lancet 2004. Feb; 363: 631-639
Mesenteric Venous Thrombophlebitis: A Complication of Diverticulitis
Outline
Our Patient J.S.: History
Our Patient J.S.: RUQ Doppler U/S
Our Patient J.S.: RUQ U/S
Our Patient J.S.: Portal Venous Flow Studies
Portal Venous Thrombosis:�Differential Diagnosis
Slide Number 8
Our Patient J.S.: Portal Venous Thrombosis on CT
Our Patient J.S.: Portal Venous Thrombosis on CT
Slide Number 11
Slide Number 12
Our Patient J.S.: Diverticulitis on CT
Our Patient J.S.: Complication of Diverticulitis on CT
Our Patient J.S.: Complication of Diverticulitis on CT
Diagnosis
Diverticular Disease
Pathogenesis of Diverticulosis
Pathogenesis of Diverticulitis
Clinical Presentation of Diverticulitis
Imaging Characteristics of Diverticulitis: X-ray
Imaging Characteristics of Diverticulitis: Contrast Enema
Imaging Characteristics of Diverticulitis: Contrast Enema
Imaging Characteristics of Diverticulitis: CT
Complicated Diverticulitis�
Slide Number 26
Mesenteric Venous Thrombophlebitis
Mesenteric Venous Thrombophlebitis: Anatomical Correlation
Pathogenesis of Mesenteric Venous Thrombophlebitis
Clinical Presentation of Mesenteric Venous Thrombophlebitis
Imaging Characteristics of Mesenteric Venous Thrombophlebitis
Companion Patient #1:
Companion Patient #1:
Other Imaging Modalities of Mesenteric Venous Thrombophlebitis�
Slide Number 35
Companion Patient # 2: Thrombophlebitis of SMV and Portal Vein
Companion Patient # 2: Thrombophlebitis of Portal Vein and SMV on CT
Companion Patient # 2: Appendicitis on CT
Discussion of Companion Patient # 2
Slide Number 40
Companion Patient # 3: Hepatic Complications of Mesenteric Venous Thrombophlebitis
Treatment of Mesenteric Venous Thrombophlebitis
Follow Up of Our Patient J.S.
Summary
Acknowledgements
References