title: Mesenteric venous thrombosis in Uganda: a retrospective study of five cases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mesenteric venous thrombosis is a rare but lethal form of mesenteric ischemia. Diagnosis before frank thrombosis and gangrene is a challenge. Documented experience in the East African region is scanty. This short series suggest renal dysfunction as a consequence of delayed diagnosis, intussusception as a differential and highlights the challenges of management with limited investigative capacity.
  
  
  METHODS
  The design was a descriptive retrospective review of 5 patient data files using pre-determined parameters. The analysis was done manually using a spreadsheet.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five patients were reported on over a 2-year period. Two died within the First 10 weeks. One was lost to follow up. Two were surviving with complications of short bowel syndrome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These reports were typically characterized by delayed diagnosis. Renal dysfunction was a consistent feature. Intussusception was a definite differential. For the clinician, heightened index of suspicion is necessary to interpret less than a typical acute abdomen presentation in absence of full range investigative capacity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University. mosesg@img.co.ug
authors.forename: Moses
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Galukande
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fualal
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nyangoma
mesh_terms: D000006:Abdomen, Acute / Q000209:etiology; D000328:Adult; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007813:Laparotomy; D059012:Lost to Follow-Up; D008297:Male; D008641:Mesenteric Vascular Occlusion / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality; D008642:Mesenteric Veins; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012778:Short Bowel Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014454:Uganda / Q000453:epidemiology; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult