Pharmacologic treatment of a postpartum ovarian vein thrombosis: Case report

INTRODUCTION: Postpartum ovarian vein thrombosis (POVT) is a rare disease, and could cause severe complications if ignored. We report a case of POVT, including the patient clinical features, diagnostic methods, treatment, and follow-up results. CASE PRESENTATION: A 30-year-old Asian woman was admitted to our hospital because of spontaneous abortion. After the miscarriage, she presented with fever and right lower abdominal pain. A physical examination revealed abdominal tenderness in the right lower quadrant with a palpable mass. Laboratory tests showed leucocytosis and elevated C-reactive protein. Abdominal ultrasound (US) and computed tomography revealed right ovarian vein thrombosis (OVT). The patient was treated with systemic anticoagulation and antibiotics and was discharged 22 days later on a regimen of an oral anticoagulant. 1.5 months after discharge, an US with a color Doppler examination showed no OVT. CONCLUSION: A high index of suspicion is required in cases of abdominal pain and fever after delivery, especially if unresponsive to antibiotics. It should be differentiated from acute appendicitis, accessory abscess, endometritis, ovarian torsion, and other acute abdominal diseases. For a POVT case with a definite diagnosis, drug treatment may be effective enough.