Suppurative pylephlebitis.

Suppurative pylephlebitis is an unusual disease with an associated high mortality. Most cases are a complication of an intra-abdominal septic focus, but some may occur de novo. In the case we have presented, the diagnosis was made by modern imaging techniques that showed thrombus predominantly within the upper portal venous system. We hypothesize that the portal system was seeded through a gastric ulcer. The patient recovered completely with prolonged antibiotic therapy.