Splenic vein thrombosis: a rare complication of celiac disease

ABSTRACT

The principal cause of splenic vein thrombosis [SVT] is pancreatic disease. Isolated splenic vein thrombosis [ISVT] is a very rare complication of celiac disease. Only few cases are reported worldwide. Affected patients develop left-sided portal hypertension often complicated by splenomegaly and isolated gastric varices. The condition is usually asymptomatic, but patients may complain of non-specific abdominal pain. Gastric variceal bleeding in this context is uncommon but should it occur, it could be life threatening and splenectomy would be the treatment of choice. The role of anticoagulation is controversial and the risk of further thrombotic events must be balanced against that of variceal bleed. We report a case of a patient with celiac disease [CD] who presented with a new onset non-specific abdominalpain, who was found to have ISVT complicated by portal hypertension, splenomegaly and non-bleeding isolated gastric varices. He was successfully managed with anticoagulation