Portal Vein Thrombosis & Crohn's Disease

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

I have been a lurker for the past few months on this group. I have had Crohn's

disease since 1978 and late last year was diagnosed with PSC. After my second

stent change and CT Scan, they also believe I have Portal Vein Thrombosis. This

would explain some of the extra symptoms I have been experiencing.

Does anyone have experience with this combination? Any input would be

appreciated.

Tammy

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[Guest guest]

Hi Tammy,

There is a definite, rare, but recognised connection between IBD and PVT. Dave could probably find the literature. In my case it's colitis and PVT. It's a very serious matter - the portal vein supplies about two thirds of the liver's blood supply. In my case it went unrecognised and the rt. lobe of the liver was damaged. The left lobe compensated by growing bigger and I had no symptoms and that's quite common. But you can have abdominal pain, fever etc.I accused the consultant, or more exactly his younger doctors, of negligence in not examining the images carefully. It resolved by itself but it could be seen on two ultrasounds. I was told that I'm the kind of person who can get thrombuses and nothing can be done. They didn't think it wise to put me on permanent blood thinning therapy. They do sometimes do this if thrombotic tendency continues. But you should discuss anti-thrombotic/anticoagulent therapy. Obviously every case is different, - and have more frequent ultrasounds.

But more commonly it's a consequence of later stage PSC so we all have some risk of this, independent of IBD. e.g. if we have cirrhosis and portal H/T

Ivor