Postpartum ovarian vein thrombosis: an update.
Ovarian vein thrombosis (OVT) is a rare complication of pregnancy. However, recognition and treatment is critical because a delay in diagnosis could lead to significant maternal morbidity. The diagnosis of OVT remains a challenge because there is no known profile of risk factors. Current controversies concern radiologic diagnosis, appropriate treatment strategies including antibiotics and anticoagulation, treatment duration, and testing for thrombophilias.


BACKGROUND
Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Family Physicians.


OBJECTIVE
After completion of this article, the reader should be able to explain that even though the occurrence of postpartum ovarian vein thrombosis (OVT) is rare the physician must consider it in a differential diagnosis in a patient with postdelivery fever unresponsive to antibiotics, state that missing the diagnosis can have devastating consequences, and recall that at times it is difficult to differentiate from septic thrombophlebitis.
Kominiarek
Michelle A
MA
Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Illinois, Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois 60607, USA. mkomin1@uic.edu
Hibbard
Judith U
JU
D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010053:Ovary / Q000098:blood supply*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000175:diagnosis; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis*