title: Portal Cavernoma during Pregnancy.
abstract: Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is characterized by the obstruction of the portal venous system. The venous obstruction can be partial or complete and it is caused by thrombogenic conditions (acquired or hereditary) or nonthrombotic factors. The acquired conditions include abdominal inflammation, infections, surgery, myeloproliferative disorders, obesity, oral contraceptive intake, pregnancy, and postpartum period. Occasionally, it is not possible to recognize any overt cause of PVT. During pregnancy there is an increased venous thromboembolism risk mainly in the systemic venous system and the PVT can occur, but there are no data about its exact prevalence, etiology, and outcome. The portal cavernoma is the cavernomatous transformation of the portal vein. It is a consequence of chronic PVT and occurs when myriads of collateral channels develop to bypass the occlusion. The clinical presentation includes hematemesis due to variceal bleeding, ascites or anaemia, and splenomegaly. The cavernous transformation of the portal vein is easily diagnosed by sonography. We report our case of a 32-year-old, gravida 3 para 2, pregnant woman admitted to our hospital at 13 weeks and 1 day of gestation, clinically asymptomatic. Laboratory test, ultrasound, and endoscopic evaluation were negative. After a detailed counseling, the patient decided on termination of pregnancy at 15 weeks and 1 day of gestation.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Neuroscienze e Scienze della Riproduzione, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini No. 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabiana
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Savoia
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Neuroscienze e Scienze della Riproduzione, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini No. 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Cinzia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ferrara
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Neuroscienze e Scienze della Riproduzione, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini No. 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sansone
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Neuroscienze e Scienze della Riproduzione, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini No. 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bifulco
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Neuroscienze e Scienze della Riproduzione, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini No. 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Carmine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nappi
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Neuroscienze e Scienze della Riproduzione, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini No. 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Costantino
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Di Carlo