Extensive Aortic Thrombosis and Renal Infarction in Association With an Active Flare-Up of Crohn’s Disease

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a recognized extraintestinal manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism being reported as the most frequent vascular complications in IBD patients. Much less frequently, arterial thromboembolic events may also be associated with greater morbidity and mortality. Aortic mural thrombosis is a rare phenomenon described in patients with IBD that often results in serious consequences such as visceral infarction and acute ischemia of the lower extremities. We described an unusual case of a female patient with Crohn’s disease (CD) who presented with generalized abdominal pain and vomiting. Imaging showed an active flare-up of intestinal CD as well as two mural thrombi in the distal descending thoracic aorta and the abdominal aorta at the level of the left renal artery, respectively, with a left renal infarction. The mesenteric angiogram revealed a patent celiac axis and mesenteric arteries. The patient was therapeutically anticoagulated, and she underwent a right hemicolectomy for the perforated ileal disease. A comprehensive diagnostic workup for hypercoagulability and thrombophilia was negative for an underlying etiology, and the active CD flare-up was considered the main culprit triggering the aortic thrombosis in this reported patient. Our case highlighted the occurrence of aortic thrombosis in a patient with IBD and that entails careful attention. Early recognition and timely management with a multidisciplinary team is the key to improving the outcome of aortic events that coincide with the active flare-up of IBD.