The etiology of chronic splanchnic vein thrombosis in adults: a two-center analysis.

UNLABELLED: Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) and Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) are rare vascular disorders with both well-recognized and less commonly identified etiologies.

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to investigate the etiologies of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) and Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS), thereby enhancing improving early detection and management strategies for these conditions. A retrospective review was undertaken to identify the etiologies of PVT and BCS.

METHODS

A detailed clinical evaluation was performed and all underlying diseases, such as MPD, and related conditions (e.g. surgery) associated with thrombosis were recorded.

RESULTS

The study comprised a total of 73 patients, with 58 diagnosed with PVT and 15 with BCS. Of these patients, 56 (76.7%) had at least one underlying disease. The most prevalent underlying diseases in patients with PVT were cirrhosis (32/58, 55.2%), myeloproliferative disease (3/58, 5.2%), malignancy (4/58, 6.9%), and rheumatological conditions (4/58, 6.9%). For BCS, 11/15 patients (73.3%) had at least one predisposing condition, including cirrhosis in six cases. Congenital causes were identified in 16/58 cases of PVT (27.6%), in 7/15 cases of BCS (46.7%). Thirty-two patients had previously undergone gastrointestinal surgery (PVT 24/58, BCS 8/15); surgery was the sole etiology in 15/73 patients (20.5%). Homocysteinemia was common (PVT 20/58, BCS 5/15). A multitude of rare etiologies were identified, including paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria, Crohn's disease, nephrotic syndrome, drug therapies, pregnancy, JAK2 mutation, and elevated factor VIII or fibrinogen.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of a wide range of diverse frequent-infrequent etiologies of congenital or acquired splanchnic vein thrombosis in this cohort underscores the necessity for the implementation of appropriate diagnostic strategies in a broad spectrum of at-risk patients.