Clinical Profile, Response to therapy and outcomes of post-ischemic intestinal stenosis Secondary to Acute Mesenteric Venous Thrombosis: a retrospective case series study

Abstract

Background Acute mesenteric venous thrombosis (AMVT) can not only cause acute bowel infarction but result in post-ischemic intestinal stenosis (PIIS), which is rarely reported. Methods Consecutive patients diagnosed with PIIS secondary to AMVT (during the post-thrombotic course, confirmed segmental bowel stenosis) from January 2010 to June 2018 were enrolled. We evaluated the clinical profile, response to therapy, and outcomes of this complication managed at the intestinal stroke center in China. Clinical data are retrospectively analyzed and Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to evaluate the efficiency of conservative treatment. Results 42 patients with PIIS secondary to AMVT were evaluated. 20 (5-150) days after discharge for AMVT, symptoms of PIIS appeared, and the interval between symptom onset and consultation was 29.5 (2-180) days. In addition, abdominal pain (90.5%), abdominal distension (76.2%), weight loss (71.4%), and nausea or vomiting (54.8%) were the common presentations. Hypoproteinemia was observed in 61.9% of patients, while leukocytosis, anemia and electrolyte disorders were present in 11.9%, 45.2% and 35.7% of patients, respectively. CT excluded thrombosis recurrence and revealed extensive collateral circulation or portal cavernous transformation in 83.3% of patients. Enterography was required only in 81.0% of patients, with positive findings in all patients, including complete obstruction (23.5%), intestinal stricture (64.7%), and extensive mucosal erosion (11.8%). Prompt conservative treatment achieved significantly increases of albumin and pre-albumin levels and correction of electrolyte disorders (all p < 0.05). However, only 4 (9.5%) patients improved after conservative therapy and laparotomy was required in other patients. A median length of 20 (2-100) cm of involved bowel was resected, mainly involving the jejunum (76.3%). Only 1 patient died due to uncontrolled transverse colon bleeding, and other patients’ postoperative courses were uneventful. Conclusion During the post-thrombotic course, clinicians should be aware of the possibility of PIIS in patients with symptoms of ileus and hypoproteinemia. Patients may respond to conservative therapy; however, the majority of patients warrant surgical resection.