Pylephlebitis with splenic abscess following transrectal prostate biopsy: rare complications of intra-abdominal infection

Abstract Pylephlebitis is a rare complication of intra-abdominal infection involving septic thrombosis of the portal system. If the splenic vein is compromised, this can lead to a splenic abscess, an extremely rare complication of pylephlebitis. The pathophysiology behind these clinical entities rem...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of surgical case reports 2017-07, Vol.2017 (7), p.rjw075
Main Authors: Díaz-Cuervo, Francisco, Posada-Calderon, Lina, Ramirez-Rodríguez, Natalia, Perdomo, C. Felipe, Duran-Rehbein, Gabriel A.
Format: Article
Language:English
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Case Report
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Summary:Abstract Pylephlebitis is a rare complication of intra-abdominal infection involving septic thrombosis of the portal system. If the splenic vein is compromised, this can lead to a splenic abscess, an extremely rare complication of pylephlebitis. The pathophysiology behind these clinical entities remains unclear. In both cases, symptoms are highly nonspecific and include fever, malaise and abdominal pain. Here, we discuss a case in which a patient develops both pylephlebitis and a subsequent splenic abscess following a transrectal prostate biopsy. Diagnosis was made by computerized tomography scan; the treatment included broad spectrum antibiotics and laparoscopic splenectomy, after which the patient made a full recovery.
ISSN:2042-8812
2042-8812
DOI:10.1093/jscr/rjw075