Portal venous system after portosystemic shunts or endoscopic sclerotherapy: evaluation with Doppler sonography

We sought to determine the usefulness of duplex Doppler sonography in the assessment of blood flow and clot formation in the portal vein in 44 patients with portal hypertension and bleeding esophageal varices who had undergone either endoscopic sclerotherapy (28 cases) or portosystemic shunt procedures (16 cases). The main, left, and right portal veins (collectively referred to as intrahepatic portal veins), superior mesenteric vein, splenic vein, and shunt were assessed for flow direction, presence of thrombi, and collaterals. Patent shunts were visualized in 12 (75%) of the 16 cases. Clot was detected in 27 (69%) of 39 intrahepatic portal veins in patients with end-to-side shunts, in six (67%) of nine intrahepatic portal veins in patients with distal splenorenal shunts, and in five (5%) of 92 intrahepatic portal veins in patients who had had endoscopic sclerotherapy. Flow in the main portal vein was hepatopetal in two (15%) of 13 patients with patent shunts (one end-to-side portacaval shunt and one distal splenorenal shunt). Flow in the main portal vein was hepatopetal in 26 (93%) of 28 patients who had had endoscopic sclerotherapy. Our data suggest endoscopic sclerotherapy preserves antegrade portal flow and results in fewer portal vein clots than surgical portosystemic shunts do. Patterns of thrombosis and flow direction vary unpredictably from patient to patient. Shunt patency should not be inferred without direct visualization of the shunt.     

肝硬化套扎联合硬化序贯治疗的疗效评价

  目的 探讨套扎联合硬化序贯治疗对肝硬化食管静脉曲张的疗效。方法 选取医院2014-04至2017-04诊断为肝硬化并食管静脉曲张出血经过2次食管静脉曲张套扎治疗,食管静脉曲张内镜分级仍在中(G₂)、重(G₃)度的57例患者为研究对象,根据随机数字表法将受试者随机分为对照组(28例)和研究组(29例),研究组行套扎联合硬化序贯治疗,对照组继续行套扎序贯治疗。两组均在治疗后随访1年并复查胃镜,比较两组的序贯治疗次数、食管静脉曲张消除率、再出血发生率、并发症发生率。结果 研究组食管静脉硬化术序贯治疗次数(2.24±0.95)少于对照组食管静脉套扎术序贯治疗次数(3.29±1.27),两组比较有统计学差异(P＜0.05)。研究组静脉曲张消除率(89.66%)显著高于对照组(46.43%),再出血率(2.45%)低于对照组(14.29%),两组比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05)。两组并发症发生率比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05)。结论 套扎联合硬化序贯治疗可减少内镜下治疗次数,显著减少套扎术后残留的食管曲张静脉、延缓静脉曲张的复发,并发症风险无增加。     

An emergency hybrid procedure that combines endoscopic treatment with partial splenic embolization for bleeding esophagogastric varices

Management of splenomegaly is important in the treatment of portal hypertension. We report 2 cases who were treated by an emergency hybrid procedure combining endoscopic treatment and partial splenic embolization (PSE) based on a new concept "splanchnic caput Medusae". Case 1 with refractory esophageal variceal bleeding due to alcoholic liver cirrhosis was treated by endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS) with ligation and PSE at the same time. Case 2 with gastric variceal bleeding due to polycystic liver disease was treated by EIS using n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate and PSE at the same time. Six days after the hybrid procedure, transjugular retrograde obliteration was added. In both cases, post-treatment 3D-CT reconstruction images revealed that the spleen-portal system reversed to almost normal form. We conclude that an emergency hybrid procedure combining endoscopic treatment and PSE is effective for patients with bleeding esophagogastric varices.KEYWORDS: Emergency hybrid procedure, Splanchnic caput Medusae, Esophagogastric varices, Endoscopic injection sclerotherapy, Partial splenic embolization, Polycystic liver disease     

Collateral pathways of the left gastric vein in portal hypertension

Since June 1974, 347 percutaneous transhepatic portal venographic studies were performed on 246 patients with portal hypertension who had had bleeding gastroesophageal varices. Of 234 patients in whom left gastric veins (LGV) (coronary) were demonstrated, 177 (75.6%) had a single LGV and 57 (24.4%) had multiple left gastric veins (21.8% had two LGVs, 2.1% had three LGVs, and 0.5% had five LGVs). Of 193 patients undergoing selective left gastric venography, spontaneous portosystemic communications to the left renal vein were found in 55, to the inferior vena cava in two, to the inferior pulmonary veins in five, to the pericardiophrenic vein in eight, to the right inferior phrenic vein in three, and to the left intercostal veins in one. Interportal communications with the left gastric vein and varices occurred from the left portal vein in 13, from the gastroepiploic vein in one, and from a superior mesenteric vein branch in one. The predominant drainage of esophageal varices was to the azygos vein in 78 of 155 patients, to the hemiazygos vein in 13, and to multiple small unnamed veins in the mediastinum in 57. Opacified varices did not extend above the level of the azygos vein arch in 71 of 130 patients; however, 59 continued cephalad to the azygos arch and drained through more superior veins of the thorax. Knowledge of the anatomy and incidence of each of these portosystemic or interportal venous communications is important to properly treat bleeding esophageal varices by surgery or angiographic embolization.     

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in a patient with cavernomatous portal vein occlusion

A 23-year-old woman with liver cirrhosis secondary to primary sclerosing cholangitis was referred to us for the treatment of recurrent bleeding from esophageal varices that had been refractory to endoscopic sclerotherapy. Her portal vein was occluded, associated with cavernous transformation. A transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) was performed after a preprocedural three-dimensional computed tomographic angiography evaluation to determine feasibility. The portal vein system was recanalized and portal blood flow increased markedly after TIPS. Esophageal varices disappeared 3 weeks after TIPS. Re-bleeding and hepatic encephalopathy were absent for 3 years after the procedure. We conclude that with adequate preprocedural evaluation, TIPS can be performed safely even in patients with portal vein occlusion associated with cavernous transformation.     

Pleural and mediastinal changes following endoscopic injection sclerotherapy of esophageal varices

Postero-anterior and lateral chest radiographs of patients undergoing endoscopic injection sclerotherapy of esophageal varices were reviewed. Radiographs were obtained prior to and within 48 hours of treatment. Following sclerotherapy, pleural effusions and densities were commonly seen at the azygoesophageal reflection and the posterior wall of the bronchus intermedius; however, on follow-up they had resolved. Most patients were asymptomatic, and morbidity was low. These findings suggest that inflammation developing after endoscopic injection sclerotherapy extends beyond the esophageal wall into the mediastinum and pleural space.     

Evaluation of portosystemic collaterals by MDCT-MPR imaging for management of hemorrhagic esophageal varices

Objective

To study the correlation between changes in portosystemic collaterals, evaluated by multidetector-row computed tomography imaging using multiplanar reconstruction (MDCT-MPR), and prognosis in patients with hemorrhagic esophageal varices (EV) after endoscopic treatment.

Methods

Forty-nine patients with primary hemostasis for variceal bleeding received radical endoscopic treatment: endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS) or endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL). Patients were classified according to the rate of reduction in feeding vessel diameter on MDCT-MPR images, into the narrowing (n = 24) and no-change (n = 25) groups. We evaluated changes in portosystemic collaterals by MDCT-MPR before and after treatment, and determined rebleeding and survival rates.

Results

The left gastric and paraesophageal (PEV) veins were recognized as portosystemic collaterals in 100 and 80%, respectively, of patients with EV on MDCT-MPR images. The rebleeding rates at 1, 2, 3, and 5 years after endoscopic treatment were 10, 15, 23, and 23%, respectively, for the narrowing group, and 17, 24, 35, and 67%, respectively, for the no-change group (P = 0.068). Among no-change group, the rebleeding rate in patients with large PEV was significantly lower than that with small PEV (P = 0.027). The rebleeding rate in patients with small PEV of the no-change group was significantly higher than that in the narrowing group (P = 0.018). There was no significant difference in rebleeding rates between the no-change group with a large PEV and narrowing group (P = 0.435).

Conclusion

Changes in portosystemic collaterals evaluated by MDCT-MPR imaging correlate with rebleeding rate. Evaluation of portosystemic collaterals in this manner would provide useful information for the management of hemorrhagic EV.     

硬化剂注射预防食管静脉曲张破裂出血远期疗效研究

目的观察肝硬化食管静脉曲张患者分别行内镜下注射硬化剂（endoscopic injection sclerotherapy,EIS）和口服卡维地洛后的再出血发生率、死亡率和治疗前后食管静脉曲张程度以及肝功能的分级变化。方法入选患者89例,其中50例患者采用EIS治疗,39例患者采用药物预防性治疗,EIS组患者给予多次注射硬化剂,直至曲张静脉消失,药物治疗组给予卡维地洛,起始剂量为6.25mg,每日2次,逐渐增加剂量至最大耐受量12.5mg,每日2次。全部患者观察36个月,对比两组间的再出血发生率和死亡率、治疗前后静脉曲张程度以及肝功能分级变化。结果 EIS治疗组有效随访44例,期间发生出血7例（15.9%）,死亡3例（6.8%）。药物治疗组有效随访34例,期间发生出血10例（29.4%）,死亡4例（11.8%）。两组间再出血发生率和死亡率差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。EIS治疗组静脉曲张总消失率为40.9%（18/44）,卡维地洛治疗组曲张静脉均未消失;比较两组治疗前后肝功能Child-Pugh评分未见明显差异（P〉0.05）。结论与药物卡维地洛治疗相比,EIS治疗可以降低再出血发生率、死亡率和静脉曲张程度,同时患者肝功能无明显损害。     

Portosystemic collaterals on MR imaging

Fourteen patients with various portosystemic collaterals (seven esophageal varices, three paraumbilical veins, two splenorenal shunts, and two mesenteric varices) were imaged with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging using a superconducting imager. Collateral pathways were demonstrated as tortuous structures of no or low signal intensity on spin-echo image, and flow related enhancement did not cause any difficulty in evaluation. Direct sagittal images are especially useful for paraumbilical vein and coronal images for esophageal and mesenteric varix. The clinical role of MR in the assessment of portosystemic collaterals is discussed also in comparison with CT and ultrasound.     

急诊经颈静脉途径肝内门体分流术（附12例报告）

报告１２例急诊经颈静脉途径肝内门体分流术，旨在评价临床疗效及探讨急诊情况下的有关治疗技术问题。１２例中男性患者１０例，女性２例，年龄４２～７２岁，均为其他保守治疗方法所不能控制的食管胃静脉曲张破裂大出血患者，１０例在三腔双囊管压迫下行ＴＩＰＳＳ。结果：１１例穿刺门脉成功并建立起有效分流，１例因门脉海绵状变性而终止分流术；除１例未能控制大出血（与选择栓塞剂不当有关）、于术后１．５小时死亡外，其余技术成功的病例均获得优良的止血效果。初步结论：ＴＩＰＳＳ对于其他方法所不能控制的静脉曲张破裂大出血患者是一有效的救治措施。为及时控制出血，作者推荐常规用钢丝圈栓塞曲张的静脉。     

内镜下套扎治疗食管静脉曲张破裂出血（附43例）

目的：探讨内镜下套扎治疗食管静脉曲张破裂出血的临床疗效。方法：对我院86例食管静脉曲张破裂出血患者分别给予内镜下套扎治疗与内科药物治疗,比较两组治疗疗效。结果：治疗组：止血成功率达90.7%,死亡率达4.7%,再出血率达11.6%。对照组则依次为69.8%、23.3%、32.6%。两组止血成功率、死亡率、再出血率的比较,均（P〈0.05）。结论：内镜套扎治疗食管静脉曲张破裂出血具有创伤小、止血迅速、临床疗效好,值得推广使用。     

食管静脉曲张出血内镜下硬化治疗的临床应用

目的总结食管静脉曲张出血患者在内镜下采用改进静脉内注射法行硬化治疗的经验。方法对85例食管静脉曲张出血患者在内镜下采用改进静脉内注射法注射5%鱼肝油酸钠进行止血治疗。结果急诊内镜下硬化治疗55次,急诊止血成功53次,急诊止血成功率96.4%;非急诊内镜下硬化治疗176次;治疗结束后复查胃镜,静脉曲张消失44例,基本消失29例,消失和基本消失占85.9%。内镜下硬化治疗发生并发症9例(占10.6%);住院期间非内镜下硬化治疗发生并发症死亡5例(占5.9%)。治疗2周后复查胃镜42例(占49.4%)出现浅溃疡,经治疗后痊愈;治疗1个月后3例出现食道狭窄,经分次扩张后改善。结论在内镜下采用改进静脉内注射法注射5%鱼肝油酸钠是治疗食管静脉曲张出血的安全、有效、简便方法。     

The esophagus after endoscopic injection sclerotherapy: acute and chronic changes

The changes seen on radiographs of the esophagus following endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS) for varices are described and illustrated. In the early period (within 30 days) after EIS, the spectrum of changes includes mucosal ulceration, luminal narrowing, intramural defects, sinuses, fistulae, esophageal dissection, and perforation. In the late period (after 30 days), the spectrum includes strictures, irregular contour, mural defects, esophageal dysmotility, and luminal obstruction. Familiarity with these radiographic features will aid in proper interpretation of esophagograms following EIS for esophageal varices.     

Evaluation of early treatment response and predicting the need for colectomy in active ulcerative colitis with 99mTc-HMPAO white blood cell scintigraphy.

The rate of treatment failure in acute exacerbation of ulcerative colitis (UC) still reaches 20%-30%. Early identification of nonresponders to therapy is important, since intensified or other medical treatment or, ultimately, colectomy should be considered to reduce morbidity. Because 99mTc-hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime (99mTc-HMPAO) white blood cell (WBC) scintigraphy is accurate in determination of the severity and extent of UC lesions, the aim of this study was to assess whether WBC scintigraphy can predict early treatment failure in patients with an acute attack of UC. METHODS: We included 20 consecutive patients (7 women, 13 men; mean age +/- SEM, 36.8 +/- 10.9 y) with a history of UC who were hospitalized with severe exacerbations. All patients underwent endoscopy and scintigraphy within 24 h of admission and 1 wk after beginning treatment. WBCs were labeled with 200 MBq 99mTc-HMPAO. SPECT of the abdomen was performed 60 min after WBC reinjection. Maximum tracer uptake in the different colon segments was defined and expressed as a ratio of lumbar bone marrow uptake. The scintigraphic activity score (SAS) was expressed as the sum of segmental colon uptake ratios. Scintigraphic evolution was considered favorable when the SAS decreased by > or =50% and SPECT uptake ratios after therapy were < or =1.5 per segment. Rectosigmoidoscopy with biopsy was performed within 24 h after scintigraphy. RESULTS: Outcome analysis after 3 mo showed 6 of 20 patients in clinical and endoscopic or histologic (rectosigmoid) remission, without alteration of treatment (responders). Of the other patients (nonresponders), 5 of 14 received a colectomy, 5 of 14 received prolonged or intensified treatment, and 4 of 14 received other treatment. In the responders group, the SAS (determined 1 wk after beginning therapy) significantly decreased in all patients. In the group of nonresponders, 10 patients had an increase of >10% in the SAS, 2 patients had an unchanged SAS, and 2 patients had a decreased SAS of >10% but had a residual mean segmental WBC uptake ratio of >1.5. There was a statistically significant difference between the responders and nonresponders (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Repeated 99mTc-HMPAO scintigraphy seems to be able to predict therapy resistance in UC within 1 wk after beginning treatment.     

Portosystemic collaterals in portal hypertension: visualization by using blood-pool SPECT imaging

Single-photon emission CT (SPECT) was performed with technetium-99m autologous RBCs in 11 patients with chronic hepatitis and in 46 cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension to determine the value of the procedure for identifying portosystemic collateral blood flow. Twenty millicuries (740 MBq) of 99mTc-RBCs, labeled by an in vivo technique, were given IV, and tomographic imaging of the intraabdominal vascular blood pool was performed. Fourteen patients with cirrhosis also had arterial portography, and 37 had scintiphotosplenoportography. In 38 of 46 patients with cirrhosis, SPECT images showed portosystemic collaterals. The coronary vein was seen in 52% of the patients, the short gastric vein in 11%, the gastrorenal or splenorenal shunt in 24%, the umbilical vein in 11%, and the anterior abdominal wall vein in 17%. Portosystemic collaterals were not shown in any of the patients with chronic hepatitis. Collaterals were identified on SPECT images in 10 of 11 patients in whom collaterals were documented by arterial portography and in all 28 patients in whom collaterals were shown by scintiphotosplenoportography. Furthermore, SPECT clearly showed a patent portal vein in three patients and the coronary vein in two patients, when these veins were not identified by means of scintiphotosplenoportography. This experience suggests that SPECT is useful for the noninvasive identification of portosystemic collaterals in patients with portal hypertension.     

Esophageal varices before and after endoscopic variceal ligation: evaluation using helical CT

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the utility of helical CT in assessing the therapeutic effects of endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL). Twenty-four patients with esophageal varices were examined. Helical scanning was initiated 60 s after intravenous injection (Iopamidol 300 mgI/ml, total 120 ml, 3 ml/s) was started. Esophageal varices were clearly depicted as high-density areas. Multiplanar reformation and 3D images demonstrated collateral circulation three-dimensionally. After EVL, mucosal high-density areas had diminished markedly, but collateral veins around the esophagus, and gastro- and/or spleno-renal shunts, were unchanged in all patients. Of 21 patients with collateral circulation, esophageal varices recurred endoscopically in 6 patients within 12 months. In 3 patients without collateral circulation, esophageal varices did not recur within 12 months. From these findings, we conclude that helical CT is a useful method for assessing the therapeutic effects of EVL. Received: 2 July 1998; Revised: 1 December 1998; Accepted: 12 February 1999     

多层螺旋CT门静脉成像对门脉高压侧支循环血管的研究

目的:评价多层螺旋CT门静脉成像(MDCTP)在门脉高压侧支循环血管显示中的价值。方法:31例经临床检查确诊的门静脉高压患者行MDCTP检查,采用MIP、MPR、VR等重建技术进行图像后处理,获得门静脉系统及侧支血管图像,两名医师分别判断侧支血管显示情况。结果:MDCTP不仅显示肝内门静脉3~4级分支,还显示了整个门脉侧支血管系统。31例患者中,胃左静脉曲张28例,食管或食管旁静脉曲张27例,脾静脉曲张21例,胃短/胃后静脉曲张7例,脾-肾分流血管1例,脐静脉曲张伴腹壁静脉曲张2例,门静脉栓塞4例,肠系膜上静脉血管闭塞2例。结论:MDCTP能显示门静脉高压侧支血管开放的部位、范围及程度,有助于对门脉高压患者治疗方案的选择,是一种有重要临床价值的无创性门脉检查方法。     

Contrast echocardiography in detection of portopulmonary venous anastomosis

Portopulmonary venous anastomosis is a potential channel for systemic arterial embolization during embolization procedures for bleeding esophageal varices. To document the presence of such anastomoses, 15 patients with esophageal varices were studied by real-time contrast echocardiography combined with transhepatic cineportography. Cinefluorographic technique, which was applied for this purpose, occasionally failed to demonstrate the dynamic events in the left atrium because of rapid dilution of contrast medium. Echocardiography after the injection of dextrose solution into the gastric coronary vein allowed two-dimensional real-time images of contrast echoes in the left cardiac chambers. By combining these two methods, more reliable diagnostic information was obtained in five of the 15 patients studied.     

TIPS versus transcatheter sclerotherapy for gastric varices

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to compare the efficacy and long-term results of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) with those of transcatheter sclerotherapy for the treatment of gastric varices. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 139 cirrhotic patients with gastric varices underwent endovascular treatment. Of the 139 patients, 104 without hepatocellular carcinoma were enrolled; 27 patients were treated with TIPS, and 77 patients with transcatheter sclerotherapy. Bleeding of gastric varices and survival rates were compared between the TIPS and transcatheter sclerotherapy groups. Multivariate analysis was used to identify the prognostic factors for gastric variceal bleeding and survival. Changes in liver function were evaluated in each group. RESULTS: The cumulative gastric variceal bleeding rate at 1 year was 20% in the TIPS group and 2% in the transcatheter sclerotherapy group (p < 0.01). The prognostic factor associated with gastric variceal bleeding was the treatment method. The cumulative survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were, respectively, 81%, 64%, and 40% in the TIPS group and 96%, 83%, and 76% in the transcatheter sclerotherapy group (p < 0.01). The prognostic factors for survival were the treatment method and the Child-Pugh classification of liver disease. For patients categorized in Child-Pugh class A, the survival rate was higher in the transcatheter sclerotherapy group than in the TIPS group (p < 0.01). For patients in Child-Pugh classes B and C, no significant difference was seen between the two groups. Liver function tended to improve in the transcatheter sclerotherapy group. CONCLUSION: Transcatheter sclerotherapy may provide better control of gastric variceal bleeding than TIPS. Transcatheter sclerotherapy may contribute to a higher survival rate than TIPS in patients with Child-Pugh class A disease.     

Combined transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt and segmentai lipiodol hepatic artery embolization for the treatment of esophagogastric varices and hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with cirrhosis: Preliminary report

Purpose To evaluate the feasibility of combining placement of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) and transcatheter hepatic segmental artery chemoembolization with Lipiodol (Seg-Lp-TAE) in patients with cirrhosis, esophagogastric varices, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods Five patients with bleeding or large, highflow esophagogastric varices and HCC were treated by TIPS and Seg-Lp-TAE. Results The mean portosystemic pressure gradient decreased from 20.8 cm H₂O to 7.8 cm H₂O after TIPS. The direct portogram and endoscopic examination revealed reduction of varices. At 6 months, one shunt had functionally occluded and could not be reopened; the other TIPS remained functional Follow-up CT and the changes of alpha fetoprotein indicated effective therapy of Seg-Lp-TAE for HCC. Four patients are in stabile clinical condition at 9, 6, 1, and 1 months after the combined therapy; one died after 14 months due to decompensated liver cirrhosis. Conclusion The combined therapy of TIPS and SegLp-TAE will become a new interventional approach for patients with HCC and esophagogastric varices.