Abstract
Isolated phlebitis of the gastrointestinal tract is rare and potentially life threatening. We report on a patient who developed peritonitis, requiring emergency laparotomy, total colectomy, and ileostomy because of colon necrosis. The specimen displayed multiple ulcerations and erosions. Histology showed a predominantly lymphocytic infiltrate of small-sized and middle-sized veins in the submucosa and subserosa, associated with granulomas and foci of vein wall necrosis. Arteries were spared. No local recurrence or systemic vasculitis developed during a follow-up period of two years. Isolated granulomatous phlebitis seems to be self-limited, and its cause is unknown. Surgical resection of the diseased intestine is usually curative.
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Martinet, O., Reis, E.D., Joseph, JM. et al. Isolated granulomatous phlebitis: Rare cause of ischemic necrosis of the colon. Dis Colon Rectum 43, 1601–1603 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02236749
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02236749