Isolated splenic vein thrombosis: an unusual cause and review of the literature

Isolated obstruction (mainly due to thrombosis) of the splenic vein usually results in left-sided portal hypertension and isolated fundal varice formation. This syndrome is a rare cause of gastrointestinal bleeding. Pancreatic diseases are among the most common etiologies of splenic vein obstruction. Renal disorders are rarely reported as a cause of splenic vein thrombosis. In the present article, a case of a 26-year-old woman with a perirenal abscess presenting with gastrointestinal bleeding as a complication of an isolated splenic vein thrombosis is described. The thrombosis could not be visualized with ultrasonography and angiography because of its extremely proximal localization. Fundal varices disappeared following splenectomy and nephrectomy. Follow-up at one year revealed the patient to be well both clinically and endoscopically.