Mesenteric vein thrombosis: Is it one disease?

Objectives:to compare the clinical course and outcome of mesenteric vein thrombosis due to known causes and mesenteric vein thrombosis of unknown aetiology.Design:a retrospective study.Setting:two major general hospitals in Kuwait.Subjects:12 patients who had mesenteric vein thrombosis due to known causes and seven patients who had mesenteric vein thrombosis of unknown aetiology were treated over eight years.Chief outcome measures:severity of clinical findings and outcome.Results:There was no statistical difference between the two groups in the clinical presentation or in outcome.Conclusion:36% of mesenteric vein thrombosis occurred without an obvious cause although the disease appeared to be the same. More work on the aetiology of this condition is required