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Case Reports
. 2017:2017:2879568.
doi: 10.1155/2017/2879568. Epub 2017 Dec 18.

A Rare Finding of Falciform Ligament Thrombosis as a Sequel of Acute Pancreatitis

H Q C Lim  1 , X W J Lee  1 , N Mathias  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

A Rare Finding of Falciform Ligament Thrombosis as a Sequel of Acute Pancreatitis

H Q C Lim et al. Case Rep Radiol. 2017.

Abstract

Falciform ligament (remnant of umbilical vein) is an anatomical structure that connects the liver to the anterior abdominal wall. This case reports a rare clinical presentation of falciform ligament thrombosis as a consequence of acute gallstone pancreatitis, in a patient with noncirrhotic liver. A 55-year-old female with a history of cholelithiasis was admitted with abdominal pain. Biochemistry profile showed hyperamylasemia and deranged liver function tests. Computerized Tomography (CT) revealed a 3 cm attenuated structure that can be traced up to the left portal vein, which represents an acute thrombosis of the falciform ligament. The patient was treated with Tinzaparin and subsequently anticoagulated. She subsequently had a laparoscopic cholecystectomy and made an uneventful recovery. We suspect that pancreatitis caused thrombophlebitis subsequently leading to recanalization and thrombosis of the umbilical vein. Falciform ligament thrombosis is a rare and poorly described complication following pancreatitis which clinicians and radiologists should be aware of.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Abdominal axial (a) and sagittal (b) CT scan showing thrombosed falciform ligament (yellow arrows) with patent left portal vein (red arrow).
Figure 2
Figure 2
MRCP (magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography). Axial view (a) showing thrombosed falciform ligament (yellow arrows). Projective coronal view (b) showing patent bile duct with no stones (green arrows).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Abdominal axial (a) and sagittal (b) CT scan showing resolution of falciform ligament thrombosis (yellow arrows) with patent left portal vein (red arrow).
Figure 4
Figure 4
MRCP axial view (a) showing postcholecystectomy and resolved falciform ligament thrombosis. Projective coronal view (b) showing patent bile duct (green arrows).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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