Portal Vein Obstruction
| Overview |
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- Portal Vein Obstruction is a type of prehepatic circulatory disorder of the liver which can be initiated by a number of etiologies. Obstruction of the portal vein usually is a result of total or partial thrombosis which can develop suddenly or insidiously, over time.
| Common Etiologies |
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- Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Invasive hepatocellular carcinoma frequently invades into the branches of the portal vein and can often extend directly into the portal vein itself, initiating thrombosis.
- Acute Pancreatitis: Pancreatitis can initiate thrombosis of the splenic vein that can then extend into the portal vein.
- Surgery: Surgery in the general vicinity of the portal vein can initiate post-surgical thromboses.
| Clinical Consequences |
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- Ascites may arise due to generation of portal hypertension behind the obstruction.
- Splenomegaly may occur due to the buildup of obstructed blood within the spleen.
- Esophageal Varices can also develop if obstruction exists on a chronic timescale.