Pylephlebitis: Difference between revisions

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{{SI}}
{{Infobox medical condition
| name            = Pylephlebitis
| image          = [[File:Gray591.png|left|thumb|Diagram of the portal vein and its tributaries]]
| caption        = Diagram of the portal vein and its tributaries
| field          = [[Gastroenterology]], [[Hepatology]]
| symptoms        = [[Fever]], [[abdominal pain]], [[jaundice]], [[nausea]], [[vomiting]]
| complications  = [[Sepsis]], [[liver abscess]], [[portal hypertension]]
| onset          = Acute
| duration        = Variable
| causes          = [[Appendicitis]], [[diverticulitis]], [[intra-abdominal infection]]
| risks          = [[Immunosuppression]], [[inflammatory bowel disease]]
| diagnosis      = [[Ultrasound]], [[CT scan]], [[blood culture]]
| differential    = [[Portal vein thrombosis]], [[liver abscess]], [[biliary tract infection]]
| treatment      = [[Antibiotics]], [[anticoagulation]], [[surgery]]
| prognosis      = Variable, depends on underlying cause and treatment
| frequency      = Rare
}}
{{Short description|A condition involving inflammation of the portal vein}}
{{Short description|A condition involving inflammation of the portal vein}}
{{Medical condition}}
==Pylephlebitis==
[[File:Gray591.png|thumb|right|Diagram of the portal vein and its tributaries]]
'''Pylephlebitis''' is a rare and serious condition characterized by [[inflammation]] and [[thrombosis]] of the [[portal vein]], which can lead to [[portal hypertension]] and other complications. It is often a result of [[intra-abdominal infection]], such as [[appendicitis]] or [[diverticulitis]], that spreads to the portal venous system.
'''Pylephlebitis''' is a rare and serious condition characterized by [[inflammation]] and [[thrombosis]] of the [[portal vein]], which can lead to [[portal hypertension]] and other complications. It is often a result of [[intra-abdominal infection]], such as [[appendicitis]] or [[diverticulitis]], that spreads to the portal venous system.
==Pathophysiology==
==Pathophysiology==
Pylephlebitis occurs when an infection in the abdominal cavity, typically originating from the [[gastrointestinal tract]], spreads to the portal vein. The infection can cause inflammation of the vein wall, leading to the formation of a thrombus. This thrombus can obstruct blood flow through the portal vein, resulting in increased pressure in the portal venous system, known as portal hypertension.
Pylephlebitis occurs when an infection in the abdominal cavity, typically originating from the [[gastrointestinal tract]], spreads to the portal vein. The infection can cause inflammation of the vein wall, leading to the formation of a thrombus. This thrombus can obstruct blood flow through the portal vein, resulting in increased pressure in the portal venous system, known as portal hypertension.
==Clinical presentation==
==Clinical presentation==
Patients with pylephlebitis may present with a variety of symptoms, including:
Patients with pylephlebitis may present with a variety of symptoms, including:
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* [[Nausea]] and [[vomiting]]
* [[Nausea]] and [[vomiting]]
* [[Hepatomegaly]]
* [[Hepatomegaly]]
The condition can lead to serious complications such as [[liver abscesses]], [[sepsis]], and [[multi-organ failure]].
The condition can lead to serious complications such as [[liver abscesses]], [[sepsis]], and [[multi-organ failure]].
==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
The diagnosis of pylephlebitis is typically made using imaging studies. [[Ultrasound]] and [[CT scan]] are commonly used to visualize the portal vein and detect any thrombus or inflammation. [[Blood cultures]] may also be performed to identify the causative organism.
The diagnosis of pylephlebitis is typically made using imaging studies. [[Ultrasound]] and [[CT scan]] are commonly used to visualize the portal vein and detect any thrombus or inflammation. [[Blood cultures]] may also be performed to identify the causative organism.
==Treatment==
==Treatment==
Treatment of pylephlebitis involves addressing the underlying infection and managing the thrombus. This typically includes:
Treatment of pylephlebitis involves addressing the underlying infection and managing the thrombus. This typically includes:
* [[Antibiotic therapy]] to treat the infection
* [[Antibiotic therapy]] to treat the infection
* [[Anticoagulation therapy]] to prevent further thrombus formation
* [[Anticoagulation therapy]] to prevent further thrombus formation
In some cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to address the source of infection or to manage complications.
In some cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to address the source of infection or to manage complications.
==Prognosis==
==Prognosis==
The prognosis of pylephlebitis depends on the promptness of diagnosis and treatment. Early intervention with appropriate antibiotics and anticoagulation can improve outcomes, but the condition can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.
The prognosis of pylephlebitis depends on the promptness of diagnosis and treatment. Early intervention with appropriate antibiotics and anticoagulation can improve outcomes, but the condition can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.
 
==See also==
==Related pages==
* [[Portal vein]]
* [[Portal vein]]
* [[Thrombosis]]
* [[Thrombosis]]
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* [[Appendicitis]]
* [[Appendicitis]]
* [[Diverticulitis]]
* [[Diverticulitis]]
[[Category:Hepatology]]
[[Category:Hepatology]]
[[Category:Vascular diseases]]
[[Category:Vascular diseases]]
[[Category:Inflammations]]
[[Category:Inflammations]]

Latest revision as of 16:00, 8 April 2025

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD's medical weight loss NYC, sleep center NYC
Philadelphia medical weight loss and Philadelphia sleep clinics

Pylephlebitis
Diagram of the portal vein and its tributaries
Synonyms N/A
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Fever, abdominal pain, jaundice, nausea, vomiting
Complications Sepsis, liver abscess, portal hypertension
Onset Acute
Duration Variable
Types N/A
Causes Appendicitis, diverticulitis, intra-abdominal infection
Risks Immunosuppression, inflammatory bowel disease
Diagnosis Ultrasound, CT scan, blood culture
Differential diagnosis Portal vein thrombosis, liver abscess, biliary tract infection
Prevention N/A
Treatment Antibiotics, anticoagulation, surgery
Medication N/A
Prognosis Variable, depends on underlying cause and treatment
Frequency Rare
Deaths N/A


A condition involving inflammation of the portal vein


Pylephlebitis is a rare and serious condition characterized by inflammation and thrombosis of the portal vein, which can lead to portal hypertension and other complications. It is often a result of intra-abdominal infection, such as appendicitis or diverticulitis, that spreads to the portal venous system.

Pathophysiology[edit]

Pylephlebitis occurs when an infection in the abdominal cavity, typically originating from the gastrointestinal tract, spreads to the portal vein. The infection can cause inflammation of the vein wall, leading to the formation of a thrombus. This thrombus can obstruct blood flow through the portal vein, resulting in increased pressure in the portal venous system, known as portal hypertension.

Clinical presentation[edit]

Patients with pylephlebitis may present with a variety of symptoms, including:

The condition can lead to serious complications such as liver abscesses, sepsis, and multi-organ failure.

Diagnosis[edit]

The diagnosis of pylephlebitis is typically made using imaging studies. Ultrasound and CT scan are commonly used to visualize the portal vein and detect any thrombus or inflammation. Blood cultures may also be performed to identify the causative organism.

Treatment[edit]

Treatment of pylephlebitis involves addressing the underlying infection and managing the thrombus. This typically includes:

In some cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to address the source of infection or to manage complications.

Prognosis[edit]

The prognosis of pylephlebitis depends on the promptness of diagnosis and treatment. Early intervention with appropriate antibiotics and anticoagulation can improve outcomes, but the condition can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.

See also[edit]