Incidental findings of splenoportal venous thrombosis by endoscopic ultrasound

Abstract

Introduction: Portal vein thrombosis (PVT), partial or complete occlusion of the portal system, is a rare but potentially serious vascular condition. However, endoscopic ultrasound has become an invaluable diagnostic tool. Objectives: To determine the prevalence and clinical, demographic, and ultrasonographic characteristics of incidental findings of portal vein thrombosis using EUS. Materials and Methods: A retrospective, single-center, descriptive, observational, non-experimental, cross-sectional study will be conducted from December 2015 to March 2025. The sample consisted of 17 patients who underwent upper endoscopic ultrasound with an Olympus 180 Linear Endoscopy at the La Trinidad Teaching Medical Center, Caracas, Venezuela.  Results: 9 patients (52.94%) were male and 8 (47.06%) were female, ranging in age from 41 to 78 years. Regarding the findings on endoscopic ultrasound, the most frequent finding was portal vein thrombosis in 35.29% (6) of cases (6), followed by splenic vein thrombosis in 23.53% (4), splenic vein thrombosis and superior mesenteric vein thrombosis, both in 11.76% (2), and pancreatic adenocarcinoma in 5.88% (1), which was the most frequent diagnosis in 9 cases (69%). Fifteen patients (83%) without a prior diagnosis of pulmonary venous thrombosis were diagnosed by EUS.  Conclusion: Splenoportal venous thrombosis is an entity that often goes unnoticed, with a variable incidence; it is considered a paraneoplastic syndrome.