Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine (Jul 2014)

Mesenteric venous thrombosis after prolonged air travel-a case report

  • Joaquín Salas-Coronas,
  • José L. Serrano-Carrillo,
  • Ana B. Lozano-Serrano,
  • José C. Sánchez-Sánchez,
  • Leticia Miras-Lucas,
  • Rosario Pérez-Moyano

DOI
https://doi.org/10.12980/APJTB.4.2014APJTB-2014-0170
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 4, no. S2
pp. S560 – S562

Abstract

Read online

We present a case of acute mesenteric venous thrombosis after a long distance flight in a traveller presenting with abdominal pain, diarrhoea and vomiting within 48 h of prolonged immobility situation. Venous thrombosis in the lower limbs and venous thromboembolism has been clearly associated with prolonged air travel (economy class syndrome). Thrombosis was diagnosed by computed tomography of the abdomen, and after starting anticoagulant therapy with acenocumarol, symptoms yielded completely in a few weeks. The study of thrombophilia was negative, although the existence of two first-degree relatives (mother and grandmother) with a history of venous thrombosis with a history of venous thrombosis makes it likely a situation of inherited thrombophilia. Although exceptional, mesenteric venous thrombosis should be considered in travellers with acute abdominal pain after prolonged air travel when there are thrombophilic conditions.

Keywords