Idiopathic Ovarian Vein Thrombosis: A Rare Cause of Abdominal Pain

Cureus. 2021 Jul 30;13(7):e16756. doi: 10.7759/cureus.16756. eCollection 2021 Jul.

Abstract

Ovarian vein thrombosis (OVT) is a rare entity. It is usually seen in hypercoagulable states such as pregnancy, peripartum period, active malignancy, recent pelvic surgeries, pelvic infections, and inherited or acquired thrombophilias. Idiopathic OVT is exceedingly rare. We report a case of OVT in a healthy 42-year-old post-menopausal female presenting with right lower quadrant abdominal pain for four days. The patient denied any recent pelvic surgery, pelvic infection, or any family history of thrombophilia. Right ovarian vein thrombosis was found on a computed tomography scan of the abdomen and pelvis. Laboratory workup including hypercoagulability studies was normal. The patient was treated with a therapeutic dose of lower molecular weight heparin and later transitioned to rivaroxaban for three to six months. This case emphasizes OVT as a differential diagnosis of lower abdominal pain in healthy females. Currently, there are no standard guidelines for the duration of anticoagulation in OVT, however based on literature review, deep venous thrombosis treatment guidelines can be followed.

Keywords: direct-acting oral anticoagulants; hypercoagulable state; idiopathic ovarian vein thrombosis; septic pelvic thrombophlebitis; vitamin k antagonists.

Publication types

  • Case Reports