Acute abdominal pain as the presenting symptom of isolated iliac vein thrombosis in pregnancy

Abstract

Background: The incidence of iliac vein thrombosis in pregnancy is quite low; however when it does occur, delay in diagnosis can have significant sequelae. We report a pregnant woman who presented with severe acute abdominal pain secondary to isolated iliac vein thrombosis.

Case: A primigravida presented at 33 weeks of gestation with acute onset of severe left-sided lower abdominal pain. A magnetic resonance imaging study revealed isolated left iliac vein thrombosis. After treatment with heparin her pain completely resolved.

Conclusion: Iliac vein thrombosis may cause acute abdominal pain in pregnant women and should be considered in the differential diagnosis when other common causes of pain have been excluded.