Pylephlebitis With Hepatic Abscess Complicating a Case of Acute Pancreatitis in a Young Male: Startling Complication of Intra-Abdominal Sepsis

The thrombophlebitis of the portal vein and or its hepatic branches accompanied with a positive blood culture is known as pylephlebitis, with the most common cause as sepsis. Liver abscess formation resulting from pylephlebitis is a rare but potentially lethal complication. We report a case of a 30-year-old male who presented with acute pain in the abdomen along with nausea and vomiting for two days with a history of alcohol dependence. Upon investigation, it was revealed to be a case of acute pancreatitis with hepatic abscess with superior mesenteric and portal vein thrombosis. The patient was managed conservatively with antibiotics and anticoagulants successfully. This case highlights the importance of keeping pylephlebitis with a hepatic abscess as a crucial potential complication of acute pancreatitis as its management promptly prevents mortality.