Ovarian vein and IVC thrombosis due to normal vaginal delivery; a case report and literature review

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Ovarian vein thrombosis (OVT) is exceedingly rare, which commonly occurs in postpartum patients and can result in serious complication such as pulmonary emboli. With a presentation often mimicking that of acute abdomen, it can be often misdiagnosed and mistreated. CASE PRESENTATION: A 30-year-old woman referred with right lower quadrant abdominal pain, nausea and anorexia, one week after normal vaginal delivery. Physical examination demonstrated tenderness and rebound tenderness at the right side of the abdomen, with a stable vital sign except 38 °C fever. She had no history of coagulation problems or thrombotic disorders. Patient was admitted on a suspicion of appendicitis and was prescribed antibiotics followed by pelvic and abdominal ultrasonography that indicated an 8 to 10-centimeter hypoechoic tubular structure on the right side, next to the IVC. CT scan with contrast showed clear dilatation and thrombosis of the right ovarian vein with spread to the IVC. Anticoagulant treatment was started with 1000 intravenous units of heparin per hour, along with aPTT control, with a disappearance of the symptoms after 72 h. CONCLUSION: Suspicion of OVT should be high in cases where patients refer with abdominal pain after childbirth, this diagnosis should be taken into account. In the absence of proper and timely diagnosis, it may lead to serious complications or mortality of the mother. CT scan with contrast and at least 3- months anticoagulant therapy (in case of thrombosis spreading to the IVC, this period should be extended) is recommended in diagnosing and treatment of OVT.