Abdominal venous thrombosis in neonates and infants: role of prothrombotic risk factors - a multicentre case-control study

Angiographic patterns of portal venous system in children with extrahepatic portal hypertension and its etiological and clinical relevance

PURPOSE

To study the relationship between the angiographic pattern of extrahepatic portal vein obstruction (EHPVO) and its etiology and clinical manifestations.

METHODS

Clinical, etiological, and angiographic findings in 155 children with EHPVO were reviewed. Anatomy of extrahepatic portal venous system (EPVS) was categorized into five imaging patterns. Assessment of the severity of esophageal and gastric varices (EV and GV) was performed by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.

RESULTS

Based on multislice CT angiography, most commonly observed pattern of EHPVO was type I (48.4%) and type II (29%). According to anamnesis, 68 (43.8%) children had pathological conditions in neonatal period. Of these, 35 (22.6%) had an umbilical vein catheterization, 11 (7.1%) had a history of omphalitis, and 9 (5.8%) had prolonged jaundice. Thirteen (8.4%) patients had various septic conditions in neonatal period and it was more common associated with widespread thrombosis throughout the EPVS (type 5)-28% of observations. Significantly lower risk of bleeding from EV (p = 0.01) was noted in children with type IV pattern, whereas children with type III and V patterns had higher grades of EV.

CONCLUSION

Angiographic pattern of portomesenteric occlusion may provide a clue to its etiology, and clinical manifestation, especially in children with widespread thrombosis throughout the EPVS.

A fern frond-like peripheral portal vein thrombosis in a neonate: A case report

Although the ultrasonographic (US) features of portal vein thrombosis in premature newborns have been described, there are very few reports on thrombosis of the peripheral branches of the portal vein. Here, I describe a case of peripheral portal vein branch thrombosis in a neonate, appearing on US imaging with a fern frond pattern.

Thrombosis of the Abdominal Veins in Childhood

Abdominal venous thrombosis is a rare form of venous thromboembolic disease in children. While mortality rates are low, a significant proportion of affected children may suffer long-term morbidity. Additionally, given the infrequency of these thrombi, there is lack of stringent research data and evidence-based treatment guidelines. Nonetheless, pediatric hematologists and other subspecialists are likely to encounter these problems in practice. This review is therefore intended to provide a useful guide on the clinical diagnosis and management of children with these rare forms of venous thromboembolic disease. Herein, we will thus appraise the current knowledge regarding major forms of abdominal venous thrombosis in children. The discussion will focus on the epidemiology, presentation, diagnosis, management, and outcomes of (1) inferior vena cava, (2) portal, (3) mesenteric, (4) hepatic, and (5) renal vein thrombosis.