  |
|
|
|
|
|||
| Journal of the New Zealand Medical Association,
31-March-2006, Vol 119 No 1231
|
|||
|
An unusual cause of abdominal pain
Sagar Nigwekar
A 36-year-old healthy Caucasian female was evaluated for a
1-week history of mild right upper quadrant abdominal pain. On examination, her
abdomen was diffusely tender and splenomegaly was present.
Laboratory studies were significant for haemoglobin (17
g/dL). A CAT scan of the abdomen was obtained and is shown in Figure 1 (see PDF
version).
The patient was diagnosed with polycythaemia rubra vera.
DiscussionPortal vein thrombosis is a well-described complication of
hypercoagulable states, portal pyaemia, and liver diseases such as cirrhosis and
hepatocellular carcinoma. It is rarely seen in patients with myeloproliferative
disorders such as polycythaemia rubra vera (PRV)1 and a major thrombotic event
can be a presenting feature of PRV.
Increased whole blood viscosity is the most likely cause for
thrombotic events in patients with PRV.2
Author information:
Sagar U Nigwekar, Chief Medical Resident, Department of Internal Medicine,
Rochester General Hospital, Rochester, NY, USA
Correspondence: Dr
Sagar Nigwekar, Chief Medical Resident, Department of Internal Medicine,
Rochester General Hospital, Rochester, NY 14621, USA. Fax: +1 585 9224442;
email: sagar.nigwekar@viahealth.org
References:
|
|
|
| | Current
issue | Search journal |
Archived issues | Classifieds
| Hotline (free ads) Subscribe | Contribute | Advertise | Contact Us | Copyright | Other Journals |
|