title: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) causing portosplenic, superior mesenteric, and splenic vein thrombosis resulting in splenic rupture and pulmonary emboli formation.
abstract: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a life-threatening complication of heparin administration. Of the few reported cases of HIT-associated intra-abdominal thrombosis, none to our knowledge provide multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) imaging findings or emphasize its utility in diagnosis. We describe a case of HIT with MDCT images demonstrating extensive intra-abdominal thrombosis and end-organ complications including splenic rupture and pulmonary emboli. This case emphasizes the potential role of MDCT in the rapid detection of HIT-related thromboembolic complications in patients with nonspecific abdominal pain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. jeanne.chung@hhs.sccgov.org
authors.forename: Jeanne C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Lammering
authors.forename: David S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Lewis K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Shin
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006493:Heparin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008638:Mesenteric Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D011859:Radiography; D013157:Splenic Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013161:Splenic Rupture / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D013162:Splenic Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D006493:Heparin