Mesenteric vein thrombosis: is it one disease?
OBJECTIVES: to compare the clinical course and outcome of mesenteric vein thrombosis due to known causes and mesenteric vein thrombosis of unknown aetiology. DESIGN: a retrospective study. SETTING: two major general hospitals in Kuwait. SUBJECTS: 12 patients who had mesenteric vein thrombosis due to known causes and seven patients who had mesenteric vein thrombosis of unknown aetiology were treated over eight years. CHIEF OUTCOME MEASURES: severity of clinical findings and outcome. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference between the two groups in the clinical presentation or in outcome. CONCLUSION: 36% of mesenteric vein thrombosis occurred without an obvious cause although the disease appeared to be the same. More work on the aetiology of this condition is required.