Portal Vein Stenting to Treat Portal Vein Stenosis in a Patient With Malignant Tumor and Gastrointestinal Bleeding

This report describes the successful use of portal venous stent placement for a patient with recurrent melena secondary to jejunal varices that developed after subtotal stomach preserved pancreatoduodenectomy (SSPPD). A 67-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with tarry stool and severe anemia at 2 years after SSPPD for carcinoma of the head of the pancreas. Abdominal computed tomography examination showed severe stenosis of the extrahepatic portal vein caused by local recurrence and showed an intensely enhanced jejunal wall at the choledochojejunostomy. Gastrointestinal bleeding scintigraphy also revealed active bleeding near the choledochojejunostomy. Based on these findings, jejunal varices resulting from portal vein stenosis were suspected as the cause of the melena. Portal vein stenting and balloon dilation was performed via the ileocecal vein after laparotomy. Coiling of the jejunal varices and sclerotherapy of the dilate postgastric vein with 5% ethanolamine oleate with iopamidol was performed. After portal stent placement, the patient was able to lead a normal life without gastrointestinal hemorrhage. However, he died 7 months later due to liver metastasis.Key words: Portal vein stenosis, Portal vein stent, PancreatoduodenectomyObstruction of the extrahepatic portal vein can lead to portal hypertension, splenomegaly, and gastrointestinal bleeding due to esophageal or gastric varices. Malignant portal vein stenosis accounts for 15 to 24% of all cases of portal venous stenosis or occlusion and usually results from portal vein tumor thrombus or external compression of the portal vein by neoplasms.^1–4 When a patient with malignant tumors undergoes subtotal stomach preserved pancreatoduodenectomy (SSPPD), formation of hepatopetal collaterals is precluded by lymph node dissection and resection of the peribiliary vascular plexus around the hepatoduodenal ligament. Instead, jejunal varices form at the choledochojejunostomy site. The treatment of portal vein stenosis remains controversial, and the indications for portal vein stent placement have not yet been clarified.This report describes a case of successful portal vein stenting for a patient with portal vein stenosis and repetitive bleeding from jejunal varices that developed after SSPPD.     

Effect of a portal venous stent for gastrointestinal hemorrhage from jejunal varices caused by portal hypertension after pancreatoduodenectomy

We report herein the case of a 64-year-old man successfully treated by portal venous stent placement for repeated gastrointestinal bleeding associated with jejunal varices. He was admitted to our hospital with melena 8 years after having a pancreatoduodenectomy for carcinoma of the papilla of Vater. From portogram findings showing severe portal vein (PV) stenosis and dilated collaterals through the jejunal vein of the Roux-en-Y loop, jejunal varices resulting from PV stenosis were suspected as the cause of the melena. A metallic stent was placed in the PV following percutaneous transhepatic PV angioplasty. Although the cure of hemorrhagic jejunal varices caused by PV stenosis is difficult in patients who have undergone major abdominal surgery, patency of the stent in this patient has been maintained for 32 months without gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Metallic stent placement is recommended as a useful treatment for PV stenosis that is less invasive than open surgery.     

Successful embolization therapy for bleeding from jejunal varices after choledochojejunostomy: Report of a case

We report a case of successful embolization of jejunal varices that were the cause of massive gastrointestinal bleeding from a choledochojejunostomy site, resulting from obstruction of the extrahepatic portal vein. A 42-year-old man who had undergone choledochojejunostomy for intrahepatic and choledochal stones was readmitted after he started passing massive dark bloody stools. Gastrointestinal endoscopic examination and angiography could not identify the source of bleeding. Percutaneous transhepatic portography showed obstruction of the right branches of the portal vein. The formation of jejunal varices at the site of choledochojejunostomy was revealed by portography and by cholangioscopy, suggesting the varices as the cause of massive bleeding. Bleeding could not be controlled long-term by cholangioscopic sclerosing therapy. We finally stopped the bleeding by embolizing a jejunal vein to the afferent loop.     

Successful Treatment by Balloon Angioplasty Under Portography for Late-Onset Stenosis of Portal Vein After Cadaveric Liver Transplantation

A 69-year-old woman, who underwent cadaveric liver transplantation for non-B, non-C liver cirrhosis with hepatocellular carcinoma in April 2009, was admitted to our hospital because of graft dysfunction. Enhanced computed tomography revealed stenosis of the left branch of the portal vein, obstruction of the right branch of the portal vein at porta hepatis, and esophagogastric varices. Balloon angioplasty of the left branch of the portal vein under transsuperior mesenteric venous portography was performed by minilaparotomy. After dilatation of the left branch of the portal vein, the narrow segment of the portal vein was dilated, which resulted in reduction of collateral circulation. At 7 days after balloon angioplasty, esophageal varices were improved. The patient made a satisfactory recovery, was discharged 8 days after balloon angioplasty, and remains well.     

Controlling the bleeding of jejunal varices formed at the site of choledochojejunostomy: report of 2 cases and a review of the literature

Introduction

Hemorrhage from jejunal varices formed at the site of Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy is rather rare, and no guidelines have so far been established for its treatment. This report presents the cases of 2 patients with jejunal varices formed at the site of choledochojejunostomy that were treated using different methods. An obstruction of the extrahepatic portal vein resulted in massive gastrointestinal bleeding in both cases

Case 1

A 59-year-old male developed jejunal varices at the site of choledochojejunostomy. Multidetector computed tomography showed that the source of bleeding was located in the small intestine near portojejunal varices. The jejunal vein supplying the afferent loop was embolized using interventional radiology. There was no evidence of liver dysfunction or rebleeding after the embolization

Case 2

A 79-year-old female developed jejunal varices at the site of choledochojejunostomy. Abdominal angiography could not detect the source of bleeding, and hence, a mesocaval shunt operation was performed.     

Application of interventional radiology for stenosis of vascular anastomosis in living-donor liver transplantation

Stenosis of vascular anastomosis is a significant complication leading to graft loss after liver transplantation. For the diagnosis of portal vein stenosis, clinical signs of portal hypertension such as ascites and thrombocytopenia, stenosis and/or poststenotic dilatation on ultrasonography (US), and jet flow, rambling, or scarcity flow of the intrahepatic portal vein on Doppler US are useful. Three-dimensional computed tomography is used to confirm the indications for interventional radiography (IVR) to treat portal stenosis. For the diagnosis of hepatic vein stenosis, clinical signs such as ascites and slight jaundice, dilatation and stenosis on US, and reduced flow with a flat wave form of the intrahepatic portal vein on Doppler US are useful. The percutaneous transcaval approach is safer than the percutaneous transhepatic approach for patients with ascites. The requirement for multiple procedures could be a good indication for stent placement before patients develop liver cirrhosis. For hepatic artery stenosis, percutaneous intraluminal angioplasty and stenting are possible and good results have been reported recently. However, the long-term results must be evaluated in the future. IVR can be safely and successfully applied to the treatment of vascular complications using balloon dilatation and/or stent placement techniques before graft dysfunction becomes irreversible.     

Transhepatic portal venous angioplasty with stenting for bleeding jejunal angiodysplasias in a retrasplant patient: a case report

A 41-year-old man, who had undergone liver retransplantation, was admitted to our institution complaining of rectorraghia. Gastroscopy and colonoscopy failed to detect the source of bleeding. Computed tomographic angiography detected a stenosis at the portal anastomosis. Capsule endoscopy showed the presence of multiple small bowel angiodysplasias. After a surgical failure, direct portography revealed severe stenosis of the extrahepatic portal vein. Subsequent to percutaneous transhepatic portography, we dilated the stenosis using a balloon catheter and placed an expandable metallic stent, stopping the bleeding without further episodes of gastrointestinal bleeding.     

儿童肝移植术后门静脉狭窄的诊断与治疗

目的分析儿童肝移植术后门静脉狭窄(PVS)的可能危险因素,并探讨不同治疗方式的临床疗效。 方法回顾性分析2013年6月至2017年12月首都医科大学附属北京友谊医院肝移植中心396例儿童肝移植受者临床资料(年龄≤14周岁)。随访至2018年6月,有26例发生PVS(6.6%)。对于超声怀疑PVS的儿童受者,本中心多选用门静脉血管造影确诊。术后采用超声监测门静脉直径及流速,观察血管通畅情况。采用随访观察并口服药物抗凝治疗、球囊扩张、门静脉支架置入或Meso-Rex分流术治疗PVS。监测肝功能变化,评估有无门静脉相关的移植物损伤,并观察有无门静脉高压相关的症状或体征。 结果26例儿童受者术后发生PVS中位时间为9.5个月(1.3～50.0个月),其中3个月以内发生者占26.9%(7/26),3个月以后占73.1%(19/26)。行介入球囊扩张和支架置入或Meso-Rex分流术共47例次,均未因PVS死亡。2例儿童受者动态随访,期间口服抗凝药物;23例行门静脉球囊扩张术,1例因门静脉冗长行1次门静脉球囊扩张＋支架置入术,10例经1次门静脉球囊扩张术后无效后行二次球囊扩张,7例经二次门静脉球囊扩张术后无效行门静脉支架置入术,2例经门静脉支架置入术后再次狭窄,行Meso-Rex手术。1例口服药物抗凝治疗的儿童受者,随访期间超声提示门静脉流速偏快,其余随访至今未见PVS复发。 结论超声是监测儿童肝移植术后门静脉情况、早期发现PVS的有效办法。发生PVS时,轻症儿童受者可动态随访,期间口服抗凝药物;中重度儿童受者首选门静脉球囊扩张、门静脉支架置入术。Meso-Rex分流术是对门脉支架置入术后PVS复发或发生门静脉闭塞的一种可选择的手术方式。     

Portal vein angioplasty using a transjugular, intrahepatic approach for treatment of extrahepatic portal vein stenosis after liver transplantation

Symptomatic portal vein stenosis is an uncommon complication after liver transplantation. Portal vein angioplasty has been successfully established for treatment of portal vein stenosis using mesenteric or percutaneous, transhepatic approaches. We herein report on a patient who suffered from variceal bleeding due to portal hypertension 3 months after liver transplantation. After successful endoscopic sclerotherapy, an extrahepatic portal vein stenosis was diagnosed, and portal vein angioplasty was considered as primary therapeutic option. Instead of mesenteric or percutaneous, transhepatic approaches, we adopted a transjugular, intrahepatic access to introduce a 14-mm balloon catheter into the portal vein. Using this technique, angioplasty was successfully performed. After intervention, no further episodes of variceal bleeding occurred. We favour the transjugular, intrahepatic technique for portal vein angioplasty because it does not require general anesthesia, in contrast to the mesenteric approach, and it reduces the risk of intra-abdominal bleeding, compared to the percutaneous, transhepatic approach. Received: 5 November 1999 Revised: 19 April 2000 Accepted: 3 October 2000     

Jejunal Varix with Extrahepatic Portal Obstruction Treated by Embolization Using Interventional Radiology: Report of a Case

We report a case of relapsing jejunal varix with extrahepatic portal obstruction, which was successfully treated by embolization using interventional radiology. A 79-year-old woman suffered repeated episodes of tarry stools 2 years after undergoing jejunal resection for a jejunal varix. The bleeding point was inferred to be in the small intestine, and abdominal angiography revealed extrahepatic portal obstruction and the development of a jejunal varix around the hepaticojejunostomy. Because surgical obliteration of the varices or a shunt operation for portal decompression may have been very invasive due to severe adhesions, the jejunal varix was embolized with anhydrous ethanol and interlocking detachable coils. There were no changes in liver enzymes, the clearance rate of indocyanine green, or portal pressure, and there has been no sign of rebleeding for 13 months. Our experience shows that hemostasis can last, as long as the embolization can be done without aggravating portal hypertension. In conclusion, embolization using interventional radiology is a safe and useful method of treating intestinal varices. Received: November 5, 2001 / Accepted: July 2, 2002 Reprint requests to: T. Sato     

Intraoperative stent placement in the portal vein during or after liver transplantation.

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the intermediate effectiveness of intraoperative portal vein stent placement for portal venous stenosis in liver transplantation. We attempted intraoperative portal vein stent placement in 44 portal venous anastomotic stenoses in 36 patients. All patients underwent stent placement via either the inferior or superior mesenteric vein. A total of 22 patients underwent portal vein stent placement simultaneously with liver transplantation, and 14 patients underwent stent placement 1-25 days (mean 5.93 days) after liver transplantation. Of the 22 patients, there was portal vein occlusion in 3 patients and small portal vein (<6 mm) in 10 patients (2.5-5.7 mm; mean size 3.9 mm). Patient follow-up included clinical and laboratory data collection, Doppler ultrasonography (US), and computed tomography (CT). Intraoperative portal vein stent placement was technically successful in all of our study patients, even in 6 patients with total occlusion of the portal vein. A total of 10 study patients underwent thrombectomy of the portal vein, 1 underwent patient portosystemic shunt ligation, and 7 patients had both procedures simultaneously. Portal venous patency has been maintained for 0-56 months (mean 16 months) in 42 (95%) of the 44 stent placements. In conclusion, intraoperative portal vein stent placement is an effective and long lasting treatment modality for treat portal venous stenosis, especially in patients with portal vein occlusion or small sized portal vein.     

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??Endovascular treatment for shunt stenosis or occlusion after restricted portosystemic shunt??An analysis of 24 cases WANG Zhi-wei??MA Xiu-xian??WANG Jia-xiang, et al. Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery??the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University??Zhengzhou 450052, China
Corresponding author??WANG Jia-xiang, E-mail??wangzhiwei126@126.com
Abstract Objective To explore the cause of artificial vessel stenosis or occlusion after restricted portosystemic shunt (mesocaval shunt was short for superior mesenteric vein-inferior vena cava shunt; spleen shunt was short for splenic vein-inferior vena cava shunt), and analysis the feasibility and efficacy of percutaneous endovascular therapy. Methods The clinical data of 24 cases of artificial vessel stenosis or occlusion after restricted portosystemic shunt for portal hypertension from March 2009 to March 2012 in Department of Endovascular Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were analyzed retrospectively (19 cases of mesocaval shunt, 15 cases of spleen shunt). Results In the 24 cases of artificial vessels stenosis or occlusion treated by restricted portosystemic shunt for portal hypertension, 7 cases who got acute thrombosis within a week after the surgery were treated by catheter directed thrombolysis; 9 cases who got shunts stenosis for anastomotic stenosis of artificial vessel-superior mesenteric vein from 1 to 8 years after surgery were cured by balloon dilatation or stent angioplasty. The shunts artificial vascular occlusion occurred in 8 cases from 1 to 4 years after surgery, 6 of whom succeed to be patent by balloon dilatation or stent angioplasty, and 2 cases were failed for the guide wire can’t go through the anastomotic site of artificial vessel-superior mesenteric vein. And 13 cases were associated with embolism of esophagogastric varices for postoperative standard anticoagulation. Conclusion Endovascular therapy by percutaneous puncture through "femoral vein-inferior vena cava-artificial vessel-portal vein” (including catheter directed thrombolysis, balloon dilatation, stent placement ,etc) are little trauma, highly successful and have a remarkable effect in the treatment of shunt stenosis or occlusion after restricted portosystemic shunt in portal hypertension.     

Portal Vein Stenting for Portal Hypertension Caused by Local Recurrence After Pancreatoduodenectomy for Periampullary Cancer

Portal hypertension after extensive abdominal surgery is an unusual cause of repetitive gastrointestinal bleeding. We report on a 68-year-old male patient with intermittent gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to portal vein stenosis caused by local recurrence of the distal bile duct cancer after pancreatoduodenectomy. Severe portal vein stenosis without sufficient development of portal venous collaterals was detected 25 months after pancreatoduodenectomy. Direct portography using a percutaneous transhepatic approach showed that there was a pressure gradient of 18 mmHg across the portal vein stenosis. Portal vein stenting successfully relieved portal hypertension and bowel congestion. Gastrointestinal bleeding episodes ceased after stenting. The patient died from liver metastasis 14 months after stent insertion and 39 months after pancreatoduodenectomy. Based on this case and literature reports, the possibility of portal vein stenosis should be considered for patients who have undergone pancreatoduodenectomy and then showed unexplained gastrointestinal bleeding. Percutaneous transhepatic stent insertion appears to be the treatment of choice for focal portal vein stenosis.     

肝移植术后门静脉阻塞的介入治疗

目的 评价用介入技术治疗原位肝移植术后门静脉(PV)阻塞的安全性和疗效.方法 对13例原位肝移植术后PV阻塞[狭窄和(或)血栓形成]病人进行了介入治疗,男9例,女4例;年龄28～60岁(平均43岁).其中PV血栓3例,PV吻合口狭窄9例,PV吻合口狭窄合并血栓1例,合并食管-胃底静脉曲张9例(其中8例有呕血病史).7例用经皮经肝穿刺PV分支途径治疗,6例经TIPS途径,技术包括球囊扩张+置入支架8例、局部溶栓和清除血栓4例次、单纯球囊扩张2例、联合栓塞胃冠状静脉9例次.结果 介入治疗技术均成功,无重要并发症,结束治疗时复查造影显示PV血流通畅,PV主干管径接近正常10例、3例残留狭窄＜30%.随访6～48个月(平均28个月),5例术前肝功能异常病人,术后2周有显著改善;9例以门静脉高压症合并食管-胃底静脉曲张病人,术后复查胃镜显示静脉曲张明显好转,随访期间未发生静脉曲张破裂出血.4例腹部症状较明显的病人,术后腹痛、腹胀和腹泻等症状逐渐减轻;复查Doppler超声波显示PV血流通畅.结论 介入技术是治疗原位肝移植术后PV阻塞的安全、有效方法 .     

Diagnosis and treatment of late-onset portal vein stenosis after pediatric living-donor liver transplantation

Purpose

Portal vein stenosis is a relatively rare complication after living-donor liver transplantation, which sometimes leads to a life-threatening event owing to gastrointestinal bleeding or graft failure. This study sought to evaluate the diagnoses and management of late-onset portal vein stenosis in pediatric living-donor liver transplants.

Materials and Methods

Since September 2001, we performed 123 living-donor liver transplant procedures in 120 children, among which 109 children with a functioning graft at 6 months after living-donor liver transplant are included in this analysis. Seven instances of portal vein stenosis were diagnosed and were analyzed retrospectively.

Results

The median age of the children was 5.3 years, and the median body weight was 19.2 kg. Portal vein stenosis was diagnosed at 11.2 ± 3.1 months after living-donor liver transplantation. Whereas 3 children were asymptomatic, splenomegaly and/or massive ascites were observed in the remaining 4. Additionally, platelet counts were below the normal limit in 4 children. All children were treated with transhepatic balloon dilatation except 1. Intraluminal stent placement was needed in 1 child owing to resistance of balloon dilatation. The mean pressure gradient decreased from 12.4 to 3.2 mmHg after successful treatment. We did not observe any treatment-related complications. Portal venous patency was maintained in all children during posttreatment follow-up of 43.2 ± 20.4 months. There were no recurrences of portal vein stenosis. One child died; the remaining 6 children are alive with good graft function at 49.8 ± 23.9 months of follow-up.

Conclusion

Although most portal vein stenosis is asymptomatic, splenomegaly and platelet counts are 2 important markers for portal vein stenosis. Early detection of portal vein stenosis with these 2 markers can lead to successful interventional percutaneous approaches and avoid graft loss.     

经皮经肝胆道镜治疗医源性胆管损伤后再狭窄

目的探讨医源性胆管损伤后肝外胆管再狭窄的原因和治疗方法。方法对我院1998年1月～2005年1月12例（开腹胆囊切除术5例，腹腔镜胆囊切除术7例）医源性胆管损伤后肝外胆管再狭窄，建立经皮经肝通道，采用胆道镜取石、球囊扩张、支架管置入支撑扩张狭窄段胆管。结果8例用F20 Gruntzig型球囊导管扩张狭窄段胆管，2次即可放入6～8mm塑料支架引流管；4例球囊扩张3次后置入。塑料支架引流管置管6～12个月。12例随访2～3年，平均2．6年，无腹痛、发热、黄疸再次发作，B超、MRCP检查胆管无狭窄及再发结石。结论胆道镜取石、球囊扩张支架管置入治疗医源性胆管损伤后肝外胆管再狭窄创伤小，安全可行，效果良好。     

活体肝移植肝静脉流出道狭窄的诊断与治疗

肝静脉流出道狭窄是肝移植术后较为罕见的并发症,在活体肝移植中发生率为2％～4％。2006年6月至2010年5月,解放军总医院2例接受右肝活体肝移植的患者术后出现肝静脉流出道狭窄,接受保守治疗或介入球囊扩张成形术治疗。术后疗效显示：保守治疗肝静脉流出道狭窄具有一定的风险性;而介入肝静脉造影、球囊扩张以及金属支架置入能有效诊断和治疗肝静脉流出道狭窄。     

Variceal hemorrhage associated with portal vein thrombosis: treatment with a unique portal venous stent.

A patient with an uncommon cause of portal venous hypertension, pancreatitis, is depicted. The patient had an equally uncommon pattern of symptoms and signs consisting of abdominal pain and lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage caused by colonic varices. A unique treatment, with angiographic placement of an expandable intraluminal stent within the portal vein, was employed to reopen the portal venous system and reduce portal pressure. Relief of bleeding was accomplished and sustained for more than 1 year.     

Sugiura procedure in portal hypertensive children

Bleeding from esophageal varices is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in children with portal hypertension. The treatment protocol is planned according to the etiologic factors underlying the portal hypertension, which may be either intrahepatic or extrahepatic. Although portasystemic venous shunt operations were common previously, they are now regarded as nonphysiologic and are rarely used because of their unexpected results and complications. Today, in many centers, endoscopic procedures have become the first-step treatment modality in bleeding esophageal varices. More complicated surgical procedures, such as devascularization procedures in extrahepatic portal hypertension, and liver transplantation in patients with failing liver, should be performed when conservative measures fail. We followed up 69 patients with portal hypertension with endoscopic sclerotherapy in our department. Here we present a retrospective evaluation of the effect of the Sugiura operation on the prognosis of 12 children (6 with extrahepatic and 6 with intrahepatic portal hypertension) who were not responsive to the sclerotherapy program. No rebleeding was seen in 9 of the 12 (75%) patients after the procedure, and the mortality rate in this series was 1 of 12 (8.3%); this patient died of hepatic failure. Received: November 7, 2000 / Accepted: January 25, 2001     

Hepatoportal sclerosis in childhood

The clinical, angiographic, and pathologic features of hepatoportal sclerosis in five children are presented. Hepatosplenomegaly with preservation of liver function and esophageal varices were demonstrated. Histologically, portal alterations were consistent and prominent and included subintimal sclerosis of the intrahepatic venous branches and telangiectases. Angiographic patterns were variable, but all exhibited intrahepatic portal venous obstruction. In three patients, there was an association with extrahepatic portal vein obstruction at different sites. Our data suggest that intrahepatic portal vein thrombosis could be the primary disorder in hepatoportal sclerosis, which may vary in extent and site, involving the intrahepatic branches of the portal vein with or without the involvement of the portal trunk. Combined clinical, angiographic, and pathologic data can contribute to a better understanding of hepatoportal sclerosis in children.