PRIMARY GRANULOMATOUS GIANT-CELL POLYPHLEBITIS OF VISCERAL VEINS

A case of granulomatous giant cell phlebitis occurred in the mesenteri c veins of a 38-year-old man, resulting in segmental infarction of the ileum. Multiple epitheloid granulomas with giant cells of the Langhan s type were situated in media/adventitia of small and middle-sized mes enteric veins with subsequent thrombotic venous occlusions. No involve ment of arterial vessels could be detected. The aetiology of the disea se remains unknown. Known types of vasculitis were excluded. It was as sumed that this is an example of in immunological vasculopathy but thi s could not be proved.