Portal vein thrombosis complicated with disseminated intravascular coagulation due to acute cholecystitis.

We herein present the case of a 53-year-old man who suffered from portal vein thrombosis complicated with disseminated intravascular coagulation due to acute cholecystitis. Although gabexate mesilate and antibiotics were administered and endoscopic nasobiliary drainage was performed, only percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage performed on the sixth hospital day improved his systemic condition and a recanalization of the portal vein was achieved. Regarding the strategy for the treatment of patients with disseminated intravascular coagulation, both an early diagnosis and prompt treatment for the underlying diseases are considered to be extremely important. Since both a hypercoagulate state and cholecystitis are considered to be etiological causes of portal vein thrombosis, clinicians should be aware that thrombosis may present as a complication in such patients.