Pylephlebitis: incidence and prognosis in a tertiary hospital.
OBJECTIVE
Septic thrombophlebitis of the portal vein or its branches, most often secondary to intra-abdominal infection is known as pylephlebitis. The frequency and the prognosis of this complication are unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the global and relative incidence of the most frequent intra-abdominal infections and the real prognosis of this disease.


METHODS
An observational retrospective study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital (University Hospital of Salamanca, Spain) from January 1999 to December 2008.


RESULTS
A total of 7796 patients with intra-abdominal infection were evaluated, of whom 13 (0.6%) had been diagnosed with pylephlebitis. Diverticulitis was the most frequent underlying process, followed by biliary infection. Early mortality was 23%. Survivors had no recurrences, but one of them developed portal cavernomatosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Pylephlebitis is a rare complication of intra-abdominal infection, with a high early mortality, but with a good prognosis for survivors.
Department of Internal Medicine, Unit of Infectious Diseases, IBSAL, University Hospital of Salamanca, CIETUS, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain. Electronic address: mbelhassen@hotmail.com.
Moncef
M
Belhassen-García
Department of Internal Medicine, IBSAL, University Hospital of Salamanca, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
Mercedes
M
Gomez-Munuera
Department of Internal Medicine, General Hospital of Palencia «Río Carrión», Palencia, Spain.
Javier
J
Pardo-Lledias
Department of Internal Medicine, IBSAL, University Hospital of Salamanca, CIETUS, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
Virginia
V
Velasco-Tirado
Department of Haematology, Txagorritxu' Hospital, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
Ernesto
E
Perez-Persona
CAP Jose Barros-Camargo, Muriedas, Cantabria, Spain.
Inmaculada
I
Galindo-Perez
Department of Internal Medicine, IBSAL, University Hospital of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
Lucia
L
Alvela-Suárez
Department of Internal Medicine, IBSAL, University Hospital of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
Angela
A
Romero-Alegría
Department of Surgery, IBSAL, University Hospital of Salamanca, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
Luis
L
Muñoz-Bellvis
Department of Internal Medicine, Unit of Infectious Diseases, IBSAL, University Hospital of Salamanca, CIETUS, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
Miguel
M
Cordero-Sánchez
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D059413:Intraabdominal Infections; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011169:Portal Vein; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013030:Spain; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D055815:Young Adult
Infección intrabdominal; Intra-abdominal infection; Pileflebitis; Pylephlebitis; Septic thrombophlebitis; Tromboflebitis séptica