An uncommon cause of visceral arterial embolism in patients presenting with acute abdominal pain: a report of 2 cases.
We report on 2 cases of visceral arterial embolism presenting with acute abdominal pain. In neither patient a cause could be established on initial clinical, laboratory, echographic or radiological investigation. Both patients were subsequently found to have a mural thrombus in the thoracic aorta, with visceral arterial embolism. Each underwent a successful operative thrombectomy. Both patients had a normal underlying aortic intima at inspection. The first patient was a young male with no known diseases. He regularly used cannabis and tested positive on admission, an association not yet reported with aortic mural thrombus. He was found to have a slightly reduced protein C. The second patient was a middle aged man with non-insulin dependent diabetes, hyperlipidaemia, arterial hypertension and hyperthyroidism. He was found to have an underlying adenocarcinoma of the lung and received chemotherapy. He died due to his cancer, 4 months after first presentation.
Ulenaers
M
M
Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology Division, Imelda General Hospital, Bonheiden, Belgium. marijkeulenaers@hotmail.com
Buchel
O C
OC
Van Olmen
A
A
Moons
V
V
D'Haens
G
G
Christiaens
P
P
D000006:Abdomen, Acute / Q000209:etiology*; D000328:Adult; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D014781:Viscera / Q000098:blood supply*