INFERIOR VENA-CAVAL THROMBOSIS ASSOCIATED WITH ACUTE-PANCREATITIS - AN UNUSUAL VASCULAR COMPLICATION - ITS PRESENTATION AND MANAGEMENT

Vascular thrombosis and systemic hypercoagulable states are known comp lications of acute pancreatitis. They are thought to be secondary to t he release of proteolytic enzymes of the pancreas. Inferior vena caval thrombosis is an extremely rare complication of chronic pancreatitis and has, to the authors' knowledge, never been reported in acute pancr eatitis. The clinical presentation and radiographic findings are revie wed to illustrate the disease spectrum. Early treatment with intraveno us heparin appears to be an effective therapy. Familiarity with this c omplication will aid physicians in its early diagnosis. However, a hig h degree of suspicion for this complication is necessary to make a dia gnosis.