Thrombosis of the inferior vena cava secondary to incidental portal vein aneurysm.

Aneurysm of the portal vein is a rare type of visceral aneurysm that is largely asymptomatic although some patients may develop symptoms or secondary complications. In this report, we present the first case in the literature of inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis arising as a consequence of portal vein aneurysm. A 95-year-old male with past medical history significant for hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, type II diabetes mellitus, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and gastroesophageal reflux presented to the emergency department with several days of altered mental status, disorganized behavior, visual hallucinations, and weight loss. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the patient's abdomen and pelvis was performed to assess for infection or malignancy. The study revealed a large saccular aneurysm of the proximal portal vein arising near the portal confluence. Compression of the adjacent IVC was also seen which contained a hypoattenuating filling defect, probably representing thrombus. Incidental large hepatic cysts were seen, and a 6 mm pancreatic cyst was also identified which likely represented an intra-ductal papillary mucinous neoplasm . He was determined not to be a surgical candidate due to age, comorbidities, and absence secondary symptoms. The patient was discharged on quetiapine and enoxaparin for management of agitation and IVC thrombosis, respectively. This case demonstrates the increasing rates of detection of portal vein aneurysm and the range of complications that may arise as a result.

Epiploic Appendagitis: An Often Misdiagnosed Cause of Acute Abdomen.

Epiploic appendages are peritoneal structures that arise from the outer serosal surface of the bowel wall towards the peritoneal pouch. They are filled with adipose tissue and contain a vascular stalk. Epiploic appendagitis is a rare cause of acute lower abdominal pain. It most commonly results from torsion and inflammation of the epiploic appendages, and its clinical features mimic acute diverticulitis or acute appendicitis resulting in being often misdiagnosed as diverticulitis or appendicitis. This frequently leads to unnecessary hospitalization, antibiotic administration, and unwarranted surgeries. Epiploic appendagitis is usually diagnosed with CT imaging, and the classic CT findings include: (i) fat-density ovoid lesion (hyperattenuating ring sign), (ii) mild bowel wall thickening, and (iii) a central high-attenuation focus within the fatty lesion (central dot sign). It is treated conservatively, and symptoms typically resolve in a few days. Therefore, epiploic appendagitis should be considered as one of the differential diagnosis for acute lower abdominal pain and prompt diagnosis of epiploic appendagitis can avoid unnecessary hospitalization and surgical intervention. In this case report, we discuss a 72-year-old woman who presented with a 2-day history of acute left lower abdominal pain.