Superior Mesenteric Vein Thrombosis in a Patient on Oral Contraceptive Pills

Abstract

Abdominal pain is a common occurrence, and it may vary from subtle pain to very severe pain due to a variety of causes, some of which may even be life-threatening. It is commonly believed that a life-threatening cause is almost always very severe with regards to the symptomatology. However, here in this case report, we report an unusual case of abdominal pain due to superior mesenteric vein (SMV) thrombosis in an otherwise healthy lady who was on an oral contraceptive agent for the last 2 years. She presented with mild abdominal pain for 3 days, and a computed tomography scan of the abdomen which was done to rule out common surgical causes of abdominal pain revealed a thrombus in the SMV. The patient was immediately started on systemic anticoagulation and was subsequently cured of her illness completely. This case report thus serves as a reminder to physicians that all abdominal pain should be thoroughly evaluated irrespective of the severity of symptoms.