title: Gastric variceal bleeding due to pancreatitis-induced splenic vein thrombosis.
abstract: Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding is a common clinical scenario. In the upper gastrointestinal tract, gastric varices can be frequently overlooked on endoscopy, particularly if not suspected or volume depleted. We report a case of suspected gastrointestinal bleeding in a patient with a childhood history of pancreatitis, who also experienced severe epigastric pain while in hospital. After transfer to an academic medical centre, the presence of gastric varices was identified and presumed to be due to splenic vein thrombosis. Pancreatitis is the most common cause of splenic vein thrombosis and accords with the patient's history, even though it occurred many years previously. This case highlights the importance of recognising pancreatitis-induced splenic vein thrombosis as a possible aetiology for upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
authors.affiliation: Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gotto
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lieberman
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pochapin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology*; D005773:Gastroscopy; D006801:Humans; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000150:complications*; D013156:Splenectomy; D013162:Splenic Vein; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology*