Mesenteric phlebosclerosis is a rare disorder, usually associated with gastrointestinal absorption of a toxin and resulting in colonic ischemia.
Cause:
(1) prolonged use of herbal medicine, primarily involving Gardenia (which contains geniposide)
(2) potentially other toxins
(3) idiopathy
Clinical presentation:
(1) abdominal pain or discomfort
(2) nausea and vomiting
(3) abdominal distention
Imaging studies:
(1) diffuse thread-like calcifications in the colon wall and along the mesenteric vein
(2) colonic wall thickening
Pathology:
(1) marked fibrotic sclerosis of submucosal veins with calcifications
(2) deposition of collagen around blood vessels in the mucosa
Consequences:
(1) intestinal ischemia, primarily in the cecum and ascending colon
(2) intestinal obstruction due to post-ischemic stricture
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Specialty: Gastroenterology
