Mesenteric venous thrombosis in Uganda: a retrospective study of five cases

Introduction: Mesenteric venous thrombosis is a rare but lethal form of mesenteric ischemia. Diagnosis before frank thrombosis and gangrene is a challenge. Documented experience in the East African region is scanty. This short series suggest renal dysfunction as a consequence of delayed diagnosis, intussusception as a differential and highlights the challenges of management with limited investigative capacity. Methods: The design was a descriptive retrospective review of 5 patient data files using pre-determined parameters. The analysis was done manually using a spreadsheet. Results: Five patients were reported on over a 2-year period. Two died within the First 10 weeks. One was lost to follow up. Two were surviving with complications of short bowel syndrome. Conclusion: These reports were typically characterized by delayed diagnosis. Renal dysfunction was a consistent feature. Intussusception was a definite differential. For the clinician, heightened index of suspicion is necessary to interpret less than a typical acute abdomen presentation in absence of full range investigative capacity.African Health Sciences 2009; 9(4): 284 - 28