CO2 splenoportography for evaluating the splenic and portal veins before or after liver transplantation

The authors report their experience with CO(2) splenoportography in a retrospective review of 15 studies performed in 13 patients before or after liver transplantation. The studies were performed by injecting CO(2) through a small caliber needle introduced into the splenic parenchyma with ultrasound guidance and imaging with conventional digital subtraction techniques. The findings were compared with clinical follow-up and other imaging studies when available. Eight of the 15 studies were normal, of which two were confirmed by additional studies. Six of the 15 studies were abnormal, all of which were compared with additional studies. There was one nondiagnostic study and two false positives. There were no reported complications. The authors' experience suggests that CO(2) splenoportography is a minimally invasive method for safely and accurately evaluating the splenic and portal veins.     

Demonstration of splenic and portal veins at routine celiac angiography. A clinical investigation of metrizoate and ioxaglate

The demonstration of splenic and portal veins during routine celiac angiography was prospectively investigated and blindly scored in 25 patients. Two identical angiographic series were performed with randomized intraindividual injections of either metrizoate 280 mg I/ml and ioxaglate 280 mg I/ml or metrizoate 370 mg I/ml and ioxaglate 320 mg I/ml. The splenic and portal veins were significantly better demonstrated when ioxaglate 280 mg I/ml was used, compared with metrizoate 280 mg/ml. No significant difference was found between metrizoate 370 mg I/ml and ioxaglate 320 mg I/ml. Ioxaglate and metrizoate adequately demonstrated the splenic veins but ioxaglate did so at a lower iodine concentration. A slower transcapillary diffusion rate combined with a lower osmolality of ioxaglate compared with metriozate is considered the major explanation for the better demonstration of the veins.     

Calcification in the portal venous system demonstrated by computed tomography

The CT appearance of calcification in the portal venous system in a patient with chronic alcoholic cirrhosis is presented. Report cases of radiologically detectable calcification in the portal system are rare, and most of them have been associated with longstanding portal hypertension. We presume that with CT this diagnosis will be made more frequently. In the presence of calcification in the portal venous system, portal vein thrombosis is highly probable. This information is of obvious importance to the surgeon contemplating a portal decompressive shunt procedure.     

Calcification in the portal vein wall demonstrated by computed tomography

We report two cases of portal vein wall calcification demonstrated by CT. The clinical features of such patients are reviewed, and proposed etiologic mechanisms are discussed.     

Septic thrombophlebitis of the mesenteric and portal veins: CT imaging

Pylephlebitis or septic thrombophlebitis of the portal vein and its tributaries is an acute ascending infection arising often from a primary gastrointestinal inflammatory lesion. Common primary sources of infection are diverticulitis, appendicitis, and infected pancreatic necrosis. CT imaging can diagnose this complication at an early stage and can significantly improve the previously reported high mortality and morbidity rates associated with this condition.     

Opacification of the intrahepatic portal veins during CT hepatic arteriography

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to ascertain the cause of opacification of the portal veins during CT hepatic arteriography (CTHA). METHOD: A total of 155 consecutive patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were evaluated with CTHA as preoperative staging. The opacification of the portal veins during CTHA was categorized as opacification of the main portal vein, right or left branches of the main portal vein (generalized), and segmental or subsegmental portal veins (localized). Hepatic angiography was compared and possible causes were evaluated. RESULTS: One hundred eight (70%) of 155 patients showed intrahepatic portal vein opacification at CTHA: generalized in 60 patients (39%) and localized in 48 patients (31%). Intrahepatic causes were arterioportal shunts due to hepatocellular carcinoma in 20 (19% of 108 patients), previous liver biopsy in 9 (8%), and portal vein thrombosis in 4 (4%). Extrahepatic cause was counted in 57 cases (53%) and was due to inflow of contrast material via nonmesenteric portal circulation through the gastric antrum, duodenum, and/or pancreas. CONCLUSION: Intrahepatic portal veins are frequently opacified during CTHA, and the causes were arterioportal shunts through hepatocellular carcinoma, postbiopsy shunt, portal vein thrombosis, and inflow of contrast material via the nonmesenteric portal circulation.     

脐与副脐静脉在门脉高压侧支循环中的意义

Twenty-one postmortem specimens of the liver (18 normal livers, 3 liver metastases) with attached ligamentum teres were investigated using silicone rubber injection technique. In all cases, the paraumbilical veins were demonstrated. They were usually divided into 2 groups, one on the right and the other on the left side of the ligamentum teres, and they terminated in a variable manner into small peripheral portal vein branches in the liver parenchyma. A patent proximal segment of the umbilical vein was found in 7 of the 21 cases. Connections between the umbilical vein and paraumbilical veins were supposed to represent one of the collateral channels in portal hypertension.     

Partial splenic embolization in patients with idiopathic portal hypertension

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of partial splenic embolization (PSE) in patients with idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH) in reducing variceal bleeding episodes, splenomegaly and thrombocytopenia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six patients (2M, 4F, mean age 30.3 years) with IPH presenting with splenomegaly, thrombocytopenia and recurrent variceal bleeding were treated with PSE using gelatin sponge (four patients) or Contour particles (two patients) as embolization material. RESULTS: PSE was performed successfully in all cases; 3F coaxial microcatheters were necessary in two patients due to extreme splenic artery tortuosity. The average amount of devascularized parenchyma at CT 1 week after PSE was 71%. Splenomegaly and thrombocytopenia improved in all cases, with a mean platelet count increase of 120,000/mm(3) and an average 68% reduction of spleen volume at follow up. Variceal bleeding did not recur after PSE. Esophageal or gastroesophageal varices disappeared (one patient) or significantly reduced (five patients) at endoscopic controls. No significant complications were noted. The follow up was of at least 18 months in all patients; mean follow up was 28.2 months. CONCLUSION: In patients with IPH PSE can be effective in preventing variceal bleedings, in reducing spleen volume and in significantly increasing platelet count; therapeutic results were durable in our population.     

肝癌门静脉支架植入术对门静脉压力的影响

目的 研究肝癌门静脉支架植入术对门静脉压力的影响.方法 12例肝癌门静脉主干癌栓患者依次接受食管胃底曲张静脉栓塞和门静脉支架植入治疗,分别测量曲张静脉栓塞前(P1)、栓塞后(P2)和支架植入后(P3)门静脉主干(PV)、未累及的门静脉分支(PVB)、脾静脉(SV)、肠系膜上静脉(SMV)压力并进行统计学分析.结果 PV组P1为(45.17±2.25)cm H2O,P2为(48.33±2.20)cm H2O(P＜0.01),P3为(39.33±2.44)cm H2O,与P2比较差异有显著性(P＜0.01).PVB组P1为(38.08±2.97)cm H2O,P2为(38.83±2.94)cm H2O(P＞0.05),P3为(37.41±2.37)cm H2O,与P2比较差异无显著性(P＞0.05).SV组P1为(44.67±2.13)cm H2O,P2为(48.17±2.20)cm H2O,(P＜0.01),P3为(41.67±2.20)cm H2O,与P2比较差异有显著性(P＜0.01).SMV组P1为(45.25±2.21)cm H2O,P2为(48.42±2.19)cm H2O(P＜0.01),P3为(41.25±2.24)cm H2O,与P2比较差异有显著性(P＜0.01).结论 门静脉主干癌栓患者食管胃底曲张静脉栓塞可使门静脉压力升高,门静脉支架植入可降低门静脉压力.     

Functional asplenia and portal hypertension in a patient with primary splenic hemangiosarcoma

A 60-year-old man with primary splenic hemangiosarcoma (PSH) presented with weakness, weight loss, abdominal pain, and anemia. Physical examination revealed hepatomegaly, ascites, and firm, huge splenomegaly. Ultrasonography showed many nodular structures characterized by hypoechogenic and hyperechogenic areas. The patient also had portal hypertension, which was confirmed by physical findings and by measurement of portal vein pressure during operation. A liver-spleen scan using Tc-99m sulfur colloid and Tc-99m labeled heat denatured erythrocytes failed to demonstrate any splenic uptake, a reliable feature of functional asplenia. Although on a total body scan with Ga-67 citrate there was no splenic uptake, there was gallium uptake in the liver, where the presence of the metastatic lesion was histopathologically verified and confirmed by operation. There was also uptake in the middle zones of the lungs. Ga-67 citrate imaging appears to be helpful in the diagnosis of metastasis of PSH, and PSH can rarely cause portal hypertension.     

门静脉高压病人部分脾栓塞术对门静脉及其分支压力的影响

目的　研究门脉高压,脾功能亢进病人部分脾栓塞（ＰＳＥ） 前后门脉压力改变,以期得到ＰＳＥ对门脉压力改变的影响。方法　采用脾动脉插管及经皮经肝门脉置管在ＰＳＥ前后分别测量门脉主干,脾静脉及肠系膜上静脉压力,通过自身对照ｔ 检验进行统计学研究。结果　ＰＳＥ前门脉主干（ＰＶ）压力为（５１ ．４±１３．７）ｃｍ Ｈ２Ｏ,脾静脉（ＳＶ）为（５５ ．５±２３ ．２）ｃｍ Ｈ２Ｏ,肠系膜上静脉（ＳＭＶ）为（５１．８±１７ ．２）ｃｍ Ｈ２Ｏ,ＰＳＥ后ＰＶ 为（４２．４ ±８．７）ｃｍ Ｈ２Ｏ,ＳＶ 为（４２．３±１１ ．８）ｃｍ Ｈ２Ｏ,ＳＭＶ 为（４３ ．４ ±１３．１）ｃｍＨ２Ｏ,通过自身对照“ｔ”检验,ＰＶ,ＳＶ 为Ｐ＜ ０ ．０５ ,ＳＭＶ 为Ｐ＜ ０ ．００１ 。结论　ＰＳＥ前后门脉主干及其分支压力改变经检验差别有统计学意义。ＰＳＥ术后短期内门脉及其分支压力可明显降低