[Portal vein thrombosis in a patient with lowered protein S level].
METHODS
In a 39-year-old man with increasing spasmodic epigastric pain, nausea and vomiting, varices of the esophagus and the gastric fundus were found endoscopically.


METHODS
A portal vein thrombosis and a consecutive thrombosis of the splenic vein were diagnosed by colour Doppler sonography and angio CT. A protein S deficiency (59 %) was found to be the underlying illness.


METHODS
The thrombosis and the resulting clinical symptoms completely resolved shortly after starting therapeutic heparinization. For six months, the patient has been without complaints or clinical symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Hence, an isolated protein S deficiency can be the cause for a portal vein thrombosis.
Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin I, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Halle/Saale.
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L
Fechner
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Lotterer
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Fleig
D000328:Adult; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011169:Portal Vein; D018455:Protein S Deficiency / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D013162:Splenic Vein; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color
D000925:Anticoagulants; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D006493:Heparin