Uncommon Gastrointestinal Bleeding in a Patient with Portal Vein Thrombosis: A Case Review

Case Summary
A 24-year-old male with no significant medical history presented with acute abdominal pain and a single episode of hematemesis. Despite initial diagnostic workups, the source of the bleeding remained unclear. A contrast-enhanced CT scan revealed thrombosis in the portal and superior mesenteric veins. Subsequent upper endoscopy did not detect a definitive bleeding source but showed coffee-ground blood in the stomach and duodenum. Ultimately, diagnostic laparoscopy identified a gangrenous section of the jejunum, which was later resected.

Key Findings and Clinical Implications

  • Portal Vein Thrombosis: A rare yet critical cause of GIB, often associated with liver disease or hypercoagulable states.
  • Diagnostic Challenges: Conventional endoscopy may not always identify the bleeding source in cases of obscure GIB.
  • Surgical Intervention: Laparoscopic examination played a crucial role in diagnosing the cause of bleeding, highlighting the importance of a multidisciplinary approach.

Further Reading and References

Conclusion and Call to Action
This case underscores the complexity of diagnosing and managing obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. Clinicians should remain vigilant for rare causes such as PVT, especially when conventional diagnostic tools fail to identify a bleeding source.

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