Retrograde venography during balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration of gastric varices

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in thrombosis in gastric varices.

Material and methods: Fourteen patients were studied who underwent balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (B-RTO) for gastric varices with a gastrorenal shunt. The B-RTO catheter was retained overnight in all patients. Balloon-occluded retrograde venography (B-RTV) was performed to evaluate the degree of thrombus formation. This evaluation was done twice during the overnight B-RTO procedure: A few hours after the procedure and on the following day. Investigated were the degree of thrombus formation observed by the first and second B-RTV, change in the degree of thrombus between the first and second B-RTV, and whether and how much sclerosing agent was administered on the second day.

Results: The first B-RTV showed entire or partial enhancement of the gastric varix in seven (50%) cases and complete or almost complete lack of enhancement in the remaining seven cases. In four of the former seven cases, the second B-RTV showed entire or partial enhancement of the gastric varix, and the sclerosing agent was added. However, in the remaining ten cases, enhancement was almost or completely lacking.

Conclusion: When complete thrombosis is shown on B-RTV obtained a few hours after B-RTO, the addition of a sclerotic agent would be unnecessary.     

Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration using a new microballoon for gastric varices

We here present a case involving a complicated type of gastric fundal varices treated by balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration. A newly developed 1.8-Fr tip coaxial microballoon catheter was successfully advanced into narrow and tortuous varices, and a sclerosant could be infused in a reasonable manner, avoiding reflux into collaterals. Divided injections of sclerosant were performed over two days, via a microballoon catheter that remained inserted overnight with balloon inflation, and the sclerosant could be infused sufficiently in the entirety of the varices. The varices were completely thrombosed and prominently reduced.     

球囊导管逆行性静脉栓塞术治疗肝硬化胃底静脉曲张1例报告并文献复习

正门静脉高压患者中约20%出现胃底静脉曲张(gastricfundal varices,GFV)~([1])。尽管与食管静脉曲张相比,GFV出血发生率较低,但由于其曲张静脉粗大、位置特殊和高血流量,较难通过内镜成功治疗~([2])。此外,GFV具有更高的再出血风险和死亡率~([3])。球囊导管逆行性静脉栓塞术(balloonoccluded retrograde transvenous obliteration,     

Short-term complications of retrograde transvenous obliteration of gastric varices in patients with portal hypertension: effects of obliteration of major portosystemic shunts

The type, incidence, and severity of complications of balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (B-RTO) for gastric varices should be precisely estimated. Complications were evaluated in 38 patients who had fundic gastric varices and 43 B-RTO procedures during injection of ethanolamine oleate (phase 1), within 4 h after injection (phase 2), 24 h after injection (phase 3), and from 24 h to 10 days after injection (phase 4). Endoscopic evaluation at 8 weeks showed resolution of gastric varices in 35 of 38 patients (92%) and smaller varices in the remaining three (8%). B-RTO caused transient hypertension in 35% of patients, hemoglobinuria in 49%, and fever in 33% during phases 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Pleural effusion, pulmonary infarction, ascites, gastric ulcers with unique appearance, localized mosaic-like change of gastric mucosa, and hemorrhagic portal hypertensive gastropathy were noted in phase 4. There were no fatalities. Lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, and bilirubin increased on day 1. Each datum was retrieved within 7 days. The severity of lactate dehydrogenase elevation correlated significantly with the volume of infused ethanolamine oleate. Thus, B-RTO is a safe and effective management of fundic varices. However, short-term hemodynamic change after B-RTO may cause gastric mucosal damage. Pulmonary infarction and pleural effusion are potential complications.     

Prophylaxis of rebleeding from isolated gastric fundal varices by balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration

We describe a case of bleeding gastric fundal varices associated with a gastrorenal shunt that were successfully treated with balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration. Blood flow in the varices disappeared after treatment. Because of its safety and simplicity, balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration appears to be a feasible alternative to transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt for the treatment of gastric fundal varices. Received: 18 November 2000/Accepted: 13 December 2000     

Transjugular retrograde obliteration for gastric varices

We evaluated the transjugular retrograde obliteration (TJO) in treatment of gastric varices with gastrorenal shunt. Twenty patients with posthepatitic cirrhosis were included in this study. A cobra-shaped 5 French occlusive balloon catheter was inserted into the gastric varices or gastrorenal shunt through the internal jugular vein. As the sclerosants, absolute ethanol and 5% ethanolamine oleate with iopamidol were injected into the varices to make thrombi. In all cases, gastric varices were obliterated successfully. Endoscopic examination 3 months after treatment revealed the complete eradication of gastric varices in all cases. No major complications during or after therapy were observed. We think that TJO can be an effective method for the treatment of gastric varices with gastrorenal shunt. Received: 21 October 1994/Accepted after revision: 7 February 1995     

BRTO assisted endoscopic Histoacryl injection in treating gastric varices with gastrorenal shunt

Aims: We evaluated the feasibility, efficacy and safety of a novel technique of balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO) assisted endoscopic Histoacryl (N-buthyl-2-cyanoacrylate) injection.

Material and methods: A total with 11 patients were enrolled and analyzed in this single center, open-label, prospective study. Patients with high-risk gastric varices (defined as fundal varices, large GV (>5?mm), presence of a red spot, and Child-Pugh score C) and concurrent gastrorenal shunt underwent endoscopic Histoacryl injection while the gastrorenal shunt was temporarily occluded with an occlusion balloon. Feasibility, hemostatic effect, intra- and postoperative complications, and varices recurrence were evaluated.

Results: All procedures were successfully done per protocol. Except for one patient who underwent rescue Histoacryl injection due to residual varices, single therapy was sufficient to eliminate gastric varices in ten patients. Intra-operative hemorrhage occurred in one case and was stopped after additional Histoacryl injection. One patient was confirmed to have treatment-related fungemia. No death or major complications occurred, including ectopic embolism, worsening of hepatic and renal function, etc. No recurrence of the varices was found during a median follow-up time (mean?±?SD) of 228?±?153 days.

Conclusions: BRTO assisted endoscopic Histoacryl injection is effective and safe for patients with high-risk gastric varices and concurrent gastrorenal shunt.     

Treatment of portosystemic shunt-borne hepatic encephalopathy in a 97-year-old woman using balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration: A case report

BACKGROUNDHyperammonemia and hepatic encephalopathy are common in patients with portosystemic shunts. Surgical shunt occlusion has been standard treatment, although recently the less invasive balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (B-RTO) has gained increasing attention. Thus far, there have been no reports on the treatment of portosystemic shunts with B-RTO in patients aged over 90 years. In this study, we present a case of hepatic encephalopathy caused by shunting of the left common iliac and inferior mesenteric veins, successfully treated with B-RTO.CASE SUMMARYA 97-year-old woman with no history of liver disease was admitted to our hospital because of disturbance of consciousness. She had no jaundice, spider angioma, palmar erythema, hepatosplenomegaly, or asterixis. Her blood tests showed hyperammonemia, and abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed a portosystemic shunt running between the left common iliac vein and the inferior mesenteric vein. She was diagnosed with hepatic encephalopathy secondary to a portosystemic shunt. The patient did not improve with conservative treatment: Lactulose, rifaximin, and a low-protein diet. B-RTO was performed, which resulted in shunt closure and improvement in hyperammonemia and disturbance of consciousness. Moreover, there was no abdominal pain or elevated levels of liver enzymes due to complications. The patient was discharged without further consciousness disturbance.CONCLUSIONPortosystemic shunt-borne hepatic encephalopathy must be considered in the differential diagnosis for consciousness disturbance, including abnormal behavior and speech.     

Percutaneous transhepatic obliteration for isolated gastric varices with gastropericardiac shunt: case report

Management of isolated gastric varices with a gastropericardiac shunt (GPS) has not yet been established. We were able to control a case of isolated gastric varices with a GPS by percutaneous transhepatic obliteration (PTO) using a microcatheter. In this case, the main blood drainage route was not a gastrorenal shunt, so transvenous retrograde obliteration could not be performed and PTO using the microcatheter was applied. Percutaneous transhepatic splenic venography revealed that the gastric varices came from the posterior gastric vein and the main drainage route was a GPS. Gastric varices and their blood supply were superselectively embolized using platinum microcoils and absolute ethanol. Portal venous pressure did not change after PTO because the route from the left gastric vein to the azygos venous system was preserved. Computed tomography 7 days after PTO revealed that the gastric varices were completely obliterated by the thrombi. Plasma ammonia level, arterial ketone body ratio, and indocyanine green retention rate at 15 min were improved. We conclude that PTO using a microcatheter is a rational, effective, and safe therapy for isolated gastric varices with a GPS.     

Role of percutaneous transhepatic obliteration for special types of varices with portal hypertension

The treatment of special types of varices with portal hypertension has not yet been established. We were able to control 13 cases of special types of varices by percutaneous transhepatic obliteration (PTO). These 13 cases consisted of 2 esophagojejunal varices after total gastrectomy for gastric cancer, 1 stoma varices after abdominoperineal excision for rectal cancer, 2 mesenteric varices with encephalopathy, 1 gastric variceal rupture, 1 gastrorenal and gastroazygos shunt with encephalopathy, 3 giant bar-type esophageal varices, 2 isolated gastric varices with gastropericardiac shunts, and 1 isolated gastric varices with gastrophrenic shunt. The special types of varices were successfully embolized in all cases and there were no complications. We conclude that the PTO is still an effective and safe treatment for special types of varices with portal hypertension.     

Steriod for Autoimmune pancreatitis complicating by gastric varices: A case report

BACKGROUNDBoth autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) and gastric varices are related to various diseases. However, AIP complicated by gastric varices is extremely rare, and has only been reported in a few studies. Here, we report a case of AIP complicated by gastric varices in a female Chinese patient. CASE SUMMARYA 59-year-old Chinese woman was admitted to our hospital with mild abdominal pain. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography revealed a diffusely enlarged pancreas, an obstructed splenic vein and slight splenomegaly. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed gastric varices in the partial gastric fundus and the red-color sign was positive. Blood chemistry showed that IgG4 was notablely elevated. The patient was diagnosed with AIP complicated by gastric varices. Steroid therapy was administered to this patient with the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. After one year of therapy, the pancreas, spleen and splenic vein recovered to the normal states, and the gastric varices had disappeared.CONCLUSIONWe present this case together with evidence from the literature to demonstrate the effectiveness of steroid therapy in the treatment of AIP complicated by gastric varices.     

Efficacy of color Doppler ultrasonography for the diagnosis of duodenal varices successfully treated with percutaneous transhepatic obliteration

We treated a 74-year-old woman who complained of tarry stool. Neither endoscopic examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract nor colonoscopy revealed any finding indicative of bleeding, and ^99mTc-HSA-D pool scintigraphic imaging showed no accumulation of blood in the digestive tract. Small tortuous collateral veins were observed on computed tomography (CT) in the distal third portion of the duodenum. Color Doppler ultrasonography obtained color flow images of varices in the distal third portion of the duodenum indicating turbulent flow, and color flow imaging showed the outflow vessel from duodenal varices. Duodenoscopy revealed tortuous varices, with erosions and blue in appearance, in the same area. Percutaneous transhepatic portography was carried out 18 days after the treatment of ascites, and hepatofugal blood flow was confirmed in the pancreatic duodenal vein originating near the junction between the splenic and inferior mesenteric veins with the passage of contrast medium into the duodenal varices, which drained into the left ovarian vein. We performed selective catheterization into the afferent vein of the varices, and injected 8 ml of a 5% solution of ethanolamine oleate containing iopamidol. Microcoil embolization using steel coils was added because the therapeutic effect resulting after the relatively rapid washout of sclerosant was insufficient. CT and color Doppler ultrasonography showed absence of blood flow in the varices 1 week after the therapy. This patient has had no episodes of rebleeding in the 24 months after therapy. Color Doppler ultrasonography was useful in diagnosing this case of duodenal varices and in evaluating therapeutic effect.     

内镜序贯治疗肝硬化食管胃底静脉曲张的疗效分析

目的评价内镜序贯治疗肝硬化食管胃底静脉曲张的临床效果。方法回顾性分析经内镜序贯治疗的193例肝硬化食管胃底静脉曲张患者,采取规范的一级、二级预防,依据静脉曲张分型、分级采用不同内镜治疗方法,按时间节点定期随访序贯治疗,总结评估内镜治疗时机、方法合理性及短期、长期疗效。结果 193例患者胃镜下见食管静脉曲张186例,合并胃底静脉曲张103例,近贲门部胃底静脉曲张4例,IGV1型3例。行食管静脉曲张套扎(EVL)178例,贲门部套扎5例,胃底密集套扎(DEVL)9例,胃底组织胶注射96例,食管套扎点平均7.12环;胃底套扎7～14环,组织胶注射1.0～5.0 ml;平均治疗食管2.68次、胃底1.07次。第1次内镜治疗后静脉曲张消除51例(26.42%)、缓解140例(72.54%)、无效2例(1.04%),治疗有效率为98.96%;1个月后再行治疗,静脉曲张消除113例(58.55%),缓解28例(14.51%),无效1例(0.52%);3个月后再次内镜治疗,静脉曲张完全消除23例(11.92%),缓解6例(3.11%)。近期再出血8例,其中1例死亡。静脉曲张近期治疗总有效率96.89%,远期总有效率99.48%。结论肝硬化食管胃底静脉曲张内镜序贯治疗效果明显,减少出血和再出血风险,提高患者生活质量。     

三腔二囊管与内镜联合治疗食管胃底静脉曲张破裂出血

目的探讨三腔二囊管与内镜联合治疗食管胃底静脉曲张破裂出血的疗效,及三腔二囊管压迫止血后,内镜介入时机的选择。方法 87例食管胃底静脉曲张破裂出血患者,随机分为2组,观察组：三腔二囊管压迫后,胃管抽出胃液提示无明显活动性出血,患者生命体征平稳后,即行内镜下曲张静脉治疗;对照组：传统方法三腔二囊管压迫止血（即：三腔二囊管气囊压迫止血,每8~12 h放松气囊1次,出血停止24~48 h后,先放出气囊空气,再观察24 h,如无再出血则拔管）,再行内镜治疗。结果两组患者均顺利完成了内镜下治疗,未因活动性出血或胃腔积血影响内镜操作或治疗效果。但观察组缩短了既往三腔二囊管压迫至内镜治疗的间隙期,减轻了患者痛苦,减少了气囊压迫并发症,避免了观察期内反复出血而延误内镜治疗时机,乃至死亡的可能。结论三腔二囊管与内镜联合治疗食管胃底静脉曲张破裂出血疗效佳,观察组内镜治疗的时机,兼具了内镜急诊止血与择期治疗预防再出血的优点,值得推广。     

精准内镜下组织胶治疗胃静脉曲张的临床效果

目的研究精准内镜下组织胶治疗胃静脉曲张的临床价值。 方法回顾性分析2013年3月至2019年11月浙江中医药大学附属杭州市西溪医院内镜下组织胶治疗食管胃静脉曲张3型（GOV3）患者60例,根据内镜下选择治疗胃静脉曲张（GV）的不同,分为精准组和经典组各30例。采用χ²检验比较2组患者治疗后1、3、6个月再出血率、急性门静脉血栓形成、并发症（包括异位栓塞）和转归（包括TIPS/外科手术、死亡率）等方面的差异;采用t检验比较2组患者GV穿刺点数、组织胶用量和Child-pugh评分等方面的差异。 结果2组患者在年龄、性别、病因、Child-pugh评分、急性门静脉血栓形成、呕血/黑便病史、脾切除术、GV联合钛夹等方面比较,差异均无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。精准组6个月累积GV穿刺点数和组织胶应用支数显著多于经典组［（9.07±3.59）点vs（2.90±1.71）点,（9.27±4.27）支vs（3.90±1.95）支,P均＜0.01］。精准组治疗后1、3、6个月再出血率均低于经典组（0 vs 16.7%,3.3% vs 36.7%,10.0% vs 46.7%,P均＜0.05）。2组患者在治疗后Child-pugh评分、发热、急性门静脉血栓形成、异位栓塞、再出血而死亡或转TIPS/手术等方面均无统计学差异［（6.47±1.48）分vs（6.40±1.54）分,10% vs 10%,0 vs 0,0 vs 0,0 vs 6.7%,0 vs 6.7%,P均＞0.05）］。 结论精准治疗可以减少GV组织胶治疗的再出血率。精准治疗发热、急性门静脉血栓形成、异位栓塞等并发症少见,对肝硬化患者Child-pugh评分亦无影响。     

Gastroesophageal varices in a patient presenting with essential thrombocythemia: A case report

BACKGROUNDGastroesophageal varices are a rare complication of essential thrombocythemia (ET). ET is a chronic myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) characterized by an increased number of blood platelets.CASE SUMMARYA 46-year-old woman, who denied a history of liver disease, was admitted to our hospital on presentation of hematemesis. Laboratory examination revealed a hemoglobin level of 83 g/L, and a platelet count of 397 × 10⁹/L. The appearance of gastric and esophageal varices with red colored signs as displayed by an urgent endoscopy was followed by endoscopic variceal ligation and endoscopic tissue adhesive. Abdominal computed tomography revealed cirrhosis, marked splenomegaly, portal vein thrombosis and portal hypertension. In addition, bone marrow biopsy and evidence of mutated Janus kinase 2, substantiated the onset of ET. The patient was asymptomatic with regular routine blood testing during the 6-mo follow-up period. Therefore, in this case, gastroesophageal varices were induced by ET.CONCLUSIONMPN should be given considerable attention when performing differential diagnoses in patients with gastroesophageal varices. An integrated approach such as laboratory tests, radiological examination, and pathological biopsy, should be included to allow optimal decisions and management.     

Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration for treatment of congenital intrahepatic portosystemic venous shunt: A case report

Congenital intrahepatic portosystemic venous shunt(CPSVS), a rare vascular malformation, has been described in both children and adults and can lead to severe neurophysiological complications. However, a standard therapeutic protocol for CPSVS has not been elucidated. With the advantage of minimally invasive techniques,transcatheter embolization has been used to treat CPSVS. The condition is challenging to manage, especially in patients with large or multiple shunts, through which rapid blood fl...     

内镜下国产组织粘合剂注射在治疗胃底静脉曲张出血中的应用

目的 探讨内镜下注射国产组织粘合剂α-氰基丙烯酸酯(D-TH)在治疗胃底静脉曲张出血中的价值.方法 回顾性分析2005年6月以来37例行内镜下注射国产组织粘合剂治疗胃底静脉曲张出血的临床资料.结果 经治疗后有35例出血停止,急诊止血率94.6%;治疗后2周内再出血5例,再出血率为13.5%.近期总有效率48.6%.结论 国产组织粘合剂,内镜下注射操作简便、疗效确切,且价格低廉,是胃底静脉曲张出血的首选治疗方法,值得临床推广应用.     

Comparison of barium swallow and left gastric angiography in the diagnosis of esophageal varices,with special reference to the management of variceal bleeding

Seventy-five patients with portal hypertension and esophageal varices were studied by means of barium swallow and selective left gastric angiography. The relative merits and limitations of these techniques in demonstrating the presence, extent, and severity of the varices are discussed, with reference to the selection of patients for prophylactic transection of the esophagus to prevent bleeding from the varices.