| Thrombus
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Etiology
•Thrombosis of the portal vein can occur either outside of the liver (extrahepatic) or within the
liver (intrahepatic).
•Extrahepatic causes include occlusion by enlargement of hilar lymph nodes, inflammation
of the portal vein due to ascending pylephlebitis secondary to infection in the appendix or
colon, splenic vein thrombosis secondary to pancreatitis or secondary to surgical
procedures on the abdomen.
•Intrahepatic causes are cirrhosis of the liver or invasion of the portal vein by primary or
secondary carcinomas of the liver.
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Pathogenesis
•The causes of thrombosis of the portal vein are the
same as thrombosis in any blood vessel - an increase
in coagulability and a decrease in flow rate.,
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Epidemiology
•Not common
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General Gross Description
•A thrombus in the liver looks like a thrombus in any
blood vessel.
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General Microscopic Description
•Histologically, a clot can either be a blood clot
or a mass of tumor cells growing into the veins.
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Clinical Correlation
•Occlusion of the portal vein results in abdominal pain
and often ascites.
•Blockage of outflow of blood from the intestines can
also result in vascular compromise of the intestines
and infarction.
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References
• Cotran RS, Kumar V, Robbins SL: Robbins Pathologic Basis of Disease. 5th ed. Philadelphia, W.B. Saunders, 1994, pp. 871
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| Thrombus
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| Synopsis by: T.V.Rajan, M.D., Ph.D. (T56000M35100)[509]
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