An unusual vascular complication in ankylosing spondylitis: Isolated thrombosis of the celiac trunk and it's branches

Abstract

A 37-year-old woman with a history of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) presented to the emergency department with acute abdominal pain. Imaging tests including ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) angiography revealed non-occlusive thrombosis of the celiac trunk and its branches. Laboratory tests showed normal ranges for most parameters, except for mild elevation in white blood cell count and platelet count. No predisposing factors were detected through hematological investigations. The patient was started on heparinization, and surgical intervention was not required. The association between AS and thrombosis is discussed, with chronic inflammation being a possible contributing factor. This case highlights the importance of considering celiac trunk thrombosis as a cause of abdominal pain in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases like AS.

Keywords

• Celiac trunk
• Thrombosis
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Computed tomography angiography

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