Pylephlebitis secondary to strangulated umbilical hernia with small bowel ischemia

Abstract

Pylephlebitis is a septic thrombophlebitis of the portal venous system that infrequently complicates small bowel infarction. We present a case of pylephlebitis with portomesenteric vein gas bubbles secondary to small bowel ischemia caused by a strangulated umbilical hernia, diagnosed on computed tomography (CT) and confirmed in the operating theater. This case is an example of the usefulness of CT in early recognition of suggestive radiologic findings of pylephlebitis associated with intestinal ischemia for prompt treatment of the patient.

Keywords

• pylephlebitis, strangulated umbilical hernia, small bowel ischemia