Portal vein thrombosis

Portal vein thrombosis (PT) can occur in any segment of the portal vein, referring to thrombosis in the main portal vein, superior mesenteric vein, inferior mesenteric vein, or splenic vein. Portal vein thrombosis can cause obstruction of the portal vein, leading to increased portal vein pressure and intestinal congestion, and is the main disease causing extrahepatic portal hypertension. It is relatively rare clinically. In recent years, with the widespread application of color Doppler and improved diagnostic levels, the number of case reports has gradually increased. The etiology may be related to systemic or local infection and portal vein congestion, and it can also be seen after hepatobiliary surgery and splenectomy; clinically, the cause cannot be identified in more than half of the cases. Secondary portal vein thrombosis is relatively more common clinically, mostly secondary to chronic liver disease and neoplastic diseases. Extrahepatic portal vein obstruction is mostly secondary to intrahepatic portal hypertension. Because this disease has no characteristic manifestations, it is easily misdiagnosed clinically.