A Rare Finding of Falciform Ligament Thrombosis as a Sequel of Acute Pancreatitis

Falciform ligament(remnant of umbilical vein) is an anatomical structure that connects the liver to the anterior abdominal wall. This case reports a rare clinical presentation of falciform ligament thrombosisas a consequence of acute gallstonepancreatitis, in a patient with noncirrhotic liver. A 55-year-old female with a history of cholelithiasis was admitted with abdominal pain. Biochemistry profile showed hyperamylasemiaand deranged liver function tests. Computerized Tomography (CT) revealed a 3 cm attenuated structure that can be traced up to the left portal vein, which represents an acute thrombosisof the falciform ligament. The patient was treated with Tinzaparinand subsequentlyanticoagulated. She subsequentlyhad a laparoscopic cholecystectomy and made an uneventful recovery. We suspect that pancreatitis caused thrombophlebitis subsequentlyleading to recanalization and thrombosisof the umbilical vein. Falciform ligament thrombosisis a rare and poorly described complication following pancreatitis which clinicians and radiologists should be aware of.