Portal-systemic shunting in a patient with normal portal vein pressures and histological evidence of idiopathic portal hypertension

Although idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH) is clinically characterized by portal hypertension and marked splenomegaly, we have experienced a case of spontaneous portal-systemic shunt without splenomegaly in whom the liver histology resembled IPH but with normal portal pressure. We admitted a 64 year old man who had suffered from hepatic encephalopathy for 2 years. Laparoscopy revealed a dark grey liver with a sharp edge and a concave surface. Examination of a liver biopsy specimen revealed peri-portal fibrosis consistent with IPH. A single, large, portal-systemic shunt was identified by percutaneous transhepatic portography. The shunt arose from the left gastric vein and flowed through the left renal vein into the inferior vena cava. No varices were identified. There were no morphological changes in the hepatic or portal veins. Portal vein pressure was normal. There was a slight difference between the portal pressure and the wedged hepatic vein pressure, suggesting a presinusoidal block. This case raises important questions concerning the aetiology of IPH and the relationship between portal hypertension and the development of collateral venous circulation.     

Overlap of idiopathic portal hypertension and scleroderma: report of two autopsy cases and a review of literature

Idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH) is characterized by dense fibrosis of portal tracts and portal venous obliteration. Little is known about the etiopathogenesis of IPH. Association of various autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus in IPH suggests that IPH may share immunological disturbances with such autoimmune diseases. We recently experienced two autopsy cases presenting with both diffuse scleroderma and IPH. Dense fibrosis was found in both the dermis and intrahepatic portal tract of these cases. In addition, small vascular damages were commonly observed to various degrees in these fibrotic areas of both organs. The activation of fibroblasts and vascular damages mediated by various growth factors and cytokines reportedly involved in the dermis in scleroderma might have also been operative in portal tracts in these two cases of IPH. A review of literature disclosed eight overlapping cases of IPH and scleroderma (middle- to old-aged females), and scleroderma was diagnosed earlier than IPH. These findings suggest that similar pathogenetic processes are operative in the dermis as well as in the portal tracts of the liver in these cases.     

胰源性与特发性门脉高压症的临床特点分析

目的探讨PPH与IPH的临床特点,加深对二者的认识,提高临床医师的诊治水平。方法对18例PPH与36例IPH患者的临床资料作一回顾分析。结果二者的肝脏形态、功能正常,病毒学指标阴性,超声检查脾静脉迂曲扩张,脾肿大;PPH患者超声检查门静脉正常,胰腺可见炎症、肿瘤、囊肿等表现;IPH患者门静脉及肠系膜上静脉迂曲扩张,但胰腺方面无异常。IPH患者汇管区纤维组织增生和炎性细胞浸润但无肝硬化改变而PPH患者肝脏组织学正常。结论临床中发现肝脏形态、功能正常,病毒学指标阴性,以门脉高压为主要表现而无肝硬化改变的患者,应考虑IPH与PPH的可能。进一步行超声检查门脉系统及胰腺情况,可进一步区分二者。     

A case of idiopathic portal hypertension after renal transplantation

A case of idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH) developing after renal transplantation is reported. A 33-year-old Japanese male who had undergone renal transplantation 8 years previously was transferred to our hospital because of hematemesis from ruptured esophageal varices. He had no history of any liver disease before the renal transplantation, but had a history of receiving blood transfusion. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) and ultrasonography revealed marked splenomegaly and collateral channels, but no obliteration which might cause portal hypertension in the hepatic or portal vein. No findings suggestive of hepatitis or liver cirrhosis were found either macroscopically on laparoscopy or by liver biopsy. Light microscopic study of the liver biopsy specimen showed mild periportal fibrosis, inconspicuous portal branches in the most peripheral tracts, but no pseudolobule formation or piecemeal necrosis. However collagen deposition was found in the perisinusoidal space and partly in intercellular space on electron microscopy. We consider that the development of portal hypertension in this case is responsible for the collagen deposition, which may be related to the administration of azathioprine after renal transplantation. There are few reports on IPH after renal transplantation, and it is stressed that a lower amount of azathioprine than previously reported may induce IPH under such conditions.     

特发性门静脉高压的肝脏病理学分析

耳的观察特发性门静脉高压的肝脏病理改变,明确病理诊断标准,并探讨临床病理联系。方法收集中日友好医院2005年1月-2007年3月病理确诊的特发性门静脉高压病例29例,对其肝组织行HE、网织纤维加Masson三色染色,以及α-平滑肌肌动蛋白、细胞角蛋白7、细胞角蛋白19免疫组织化学染色,并分析病变特点。结果29例中男9例,女20例。临床有门静脉高压、脾大等症状、体征。23例临床误诊为肝硬化。主要病理改变有：明显的汇管区纤维化,伴终末门静脉细小分支闭锁（缺乏）及不完全细纤维隔形成。部分门静脉支扩张并疝入小叶内。肝细胞萎缩及结节状再生相伴。结论特发性门静脉高压的肝脏病变具有一定的形态学特征,汇管区纤维化、门静脉小支闭锁,部分门静脉分支疝入肝实质,肝细胞萎缩及结节状再生相伴,较具诊断价值。     

Liver pathology of idiopathic portal hypertension. Comparison with non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis of India The Japan idiopathic portal hypertension study*,+

ABSTRACT— Morphological changes of the liver were studied in 24 autopsy cases of noncirrhotic portal hypertension of unknown etiology (idiopathic portal hypertension, IPH), and in 123 surgical biopsies from such patients. For comparison, 15 whole-cut liver slices from autopsy cases of noncirrhotic portal fibrosis (NCPF) from India were also studied. Liver pathology was very similar in IPH and NCPF, characterized by phlebosclerotic changes and perivascular fibrosis of the portal vein system, and parenchymal atrophy perhaps secondary to portal circulatory insufficiency. The distribution of lesions was uneven, and despite marked fibrosis and occasional surface nodularity, there was no diffuse pseudonodule formation in the parenchyma. Surgical specimens showed similar changes except for more frequent portal cellular infiltrates, but the changes seen in one biopsy specimen were limited and not always diagnostic. It seems that IPH of Japan and NCPF of India are the same disease, and perhaps hepatoportal sclerosis elsewhere is also the same disease.     

21例特发性门脉高压临床及病理特点分析

目的分析特发性门脉高压(idiopathic portal hypertension,IPH)的临床及病理特点。方法回顾性分析2012年1月—2016年12月在解放军第三〇二医院住院治疗(资料完整)的21例IPH患者的临床及病理特点。结果 21例IPH患者中,男女比例6∶15,平均发病年龄(38.1±12.7)岁,临床以门脉高压症表现为主,肝功能无明显减退,主要并发症为上消化道出血及腹水。21例肝组织病理主要表现为肝细胞板排列基本正常,无假小叶形成,汇管区扩大,门静脉周围纤维化,门脉周围有不同程度的细胞浸润,血管紊乱,中央静脉及小叶间静脉扩张,肝窦扩张,窦周纤维化。结论 IPH患者门脉高压和肝功能损害不平行,门脉高压表现较重,确诊仍须病理学检查,治疗以防治并发症为主。     

Fibulin-5 is involved in phlebosclerosis of major portal vein branches associated with elastic fiber deposition in idiopathic portal hypertension.

Aim: In cases of idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH), the deposition of elastic fibers in the major portal vein branches and peripheral portal tracts is a common and characteristic histological finding, which may be related to the disease's pathogenesis. This study aimed to clarify the mechanism of this portal fibroelastosis. Methods: The expression of fibulin-5 and fibrillin-1, proteins essential for elastogenesis, was examined in IPH livers (n = 15) using immunohistochemistry. Liver specimens obtained from patients with chronic viral hepatitis (CVH)/liver cirrhosis (LC) (n = 12) and normal/subnormal livers (n = 10) were used as controls. Results: In IPH livers, immunohistochemical labeling of fibulin-5 was observed in the major portal vein branches in eight cases (53%), and the distribution corresponded to that of elastic fibers in the vessel walls, while the peripheral portaltracts totally lacked fibulin-5 in spite of the presence of dense elastic fibers. In CVH/LC and normal livers, fibulin-5 expression was absent or faint throughout the sections. Fibrillin-1 was detected in the connective tissue of the hilar region and peripheral portal tracts in IPH, CVH/LC and normal livers, with the expression varying greatly among cases. Conclusions: These results suggest that fibulin-5, rather than fibrillin-1, expressed in the major portal vein branches of IPH livers is related to phlebosclerosis, leading to an increase in presinusoidal vascular resistance and portal hypertension. In addition, the mechanism of fibroelastosis may differ between the major portal vein branches and peripheral portal tracts of IPH livers.     

Idiopathic portal hypertension in a systemic sclerosis patient heterozygous for factor V Leiden mutation

Here we present a rare case of systemic sclerosis (SSc) with idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH) having factor V Leiden mutation, a well-known genetic risk factor for various venous thromboses. A 53-year-old SSc patient showing huge esophageal varices and splenomegaly without liver cirrhosis was diagnosed with IPH. As heterozygous Leiden mutation was detected, some coagulation abnormality and resultant formation of microthrombi in the branches of portal vein were suggested as a cause of IPH in this case. This is the first report showing the possible association between Leiden mutation and one of the complications of SSc.     

特发性门脉高压症的临床病理学特点

目的 探讨特发性门脉高压症(idiopathic portal hypertension,IPH)的临床病理学特点.方法 回顾性分析了9例IPH的临床及病理学资料,并对其肝脏标本进行常规病理学及免疫组化研究.结果 9例IPH中,5例首发症状为上消化道出血和黑便,3例体检发现脾大脾亢而无临床症状,1例以血管瘤入院.人院检查脾肿大7例,胃底食道静脉曲张6例,腹水征4例,贫血者6例,肝功能正常或接近正常9例.病理组织学显示9例肝小叶结构基本正常.均未见假小叶形成及肝细胞坏死;9例均有不同程度汇管区纤维化,3例汇管区纤细的不全纤维间隔形成并向肝实质延伸,6例有门脉末支管壁纤维化;9例中有6例小叶内肝细胞有不同程度的水肿变性,5例肝窦有不同程度的扩张,2例肝窦扩张较明显,肝细胞萎缩,呈血管瘤样结构,2例有轻-中度肝腺胞3区大泡脂变.脾脏组织学符合淤血性脾肿大病理表现.结论 IPH的临床表现与其他原因所致的肝硬化门脉高压相似,肝穿组织病理学可除外肝硬化,并有一定的特征.诊断时应与各种原因所致肝硬化门脉高压,肝窦阻塞综合征等相鉴别.     

A case of idiopathic portal hypertension after renal transplantation

A case of idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH) developing after renal transplantation is reported. A 33-year-old Japanese male who had undergone renal transplantation 8 years previously was transferred to our hospital because of hematemesis from ruptured esophageal varices. He had no history of any liver disease before the renal transplantation, but had a history of receiving blood transfusion. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) and ultrasonography revealed marked splenomegaly and collateral channels, but no obliteration which might cause portal hypertension in the hepatic or portal vein. No findings suggestive of hepatitis or liver cirrhosis were found either macroscopically on laparoscopy or by liver biopsy. Light microscopic study of the liver biopsy specimen showed mild periportal fibrosis, inconspicuous portal branches in the most peripheral tracts, but no pseudolobule formation or piecemeal necrosis. However collagen deposition was found in the perisinusoidal space and partly in intercellular space on electron microscopy. We consider that the development of portal hypertension in this case is responsible for the collagen deposition, which may be related to the administration of azathioprine after renal transplantation. There are few reports on IPH after renal transplantation, and it is stressed that a lower amount of azathioprine than previously reported may induce IPH under such conditions.     

Obliterative portal venopathy: A comparative study of 184 cases of extrahepatic portal obstruction and 469 cases of idiopathic portal hypertension

Abstract A total of 184 cases of extrahepatic portal obstruction (EHPO), mostly demonstrated by intraoperative portography and studied at 17 institutes during the period 1957–1983, were compared with 469 cases of idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH) similarly studied. Of the cases of EHPO, there were 101 males and 83 females; 93 were under 20 years of age and the average age was 25.9 years (i.e. much younger than that of IPH cases). There were two age peaks, one before age 19 years and the other at age 40–49 years. One out of three adult cases had a history of abdominal surgery, but otherwise the aetiologic factor was difficult to elicit. Bleeding was the initial symptom in the majority, and splenectomy and haematological findings of hypersplenism were less pronounced compared with IPH. Liver function tests were almost always normal. The liver appeared normal macroscopically in 69% and histologically in 35%. The changes seen in the remainder were similar to those in IPH; they were less frequent in young patients than in cases above age 20 years. Compared with IPH, the wedged hepatic venous pressure in patients with EHPO was lower and the gradient from the portal venous pressure was greater. It is concluded that extrahepatic portal obstruction is less common compared with IPH in Japan, and that there are cases particularly among adults that present clinicopathological features very similar to those of IPH. It is unclear at present whether these two disorders represent two different disease entities, or whether they represent one disorder with differences in the site of involvement along the portal vein system.     

Idiopathic portal hypertension and its pathology

Idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH) is a disorder of unknown etiology, clinically characterized by portal hypertension (varices and portosystemic collateral vessels), splenomegaly, and anemia (hypersplenism). A similar disorder is called noncirrhotic portal fibrosis in India, and hepatoportal sclerosis seems to be the counterpart in the United States. This disease is uncommon in developed countries. Middle-aged women are more prone to IPH in Japan. The liver has no cirrhosis or pseudonodule formation, and the principal pathologic changes are considerable portal fibrosis, devastation of intrahepatic terminal portal radicles, and parenchymal atrophy of the liver secondary to portal malperfusion. The characteristic portal hemodynamics include intrahepatic presinusoidal portal hypertension, increased splenic and portal vein blood flow, and increased intrahepatic portal resistance. The prognosis is generally good depending on the management of bleeding varices. Although the etiology is obscure, certain immunologic abnormalities seem to play an etiologic role in Japanese patients, and the incidence has markedly declined in recent years in Japan, indirectly suggesting a role of infection. The theory that IPH represents an undiagnosed intrahepatic portal vein thrombosis is refuted.     

Intrahepatic portal venopathy and related disorders of the liver

Intrahepatic portal venopathy leads to various entities that are important causes of portal hypertension. Noncirrhotic portal fibrosis (NCPF) occurs in the Indian subcontinent, whereas idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH) occurs in Japan although the pathogenesis and presentation of both are similar. NCPF presents mainly with upper gastrointestinal bleeding; IPH presents with massive splenomegaly. The liver functions are preserved. Wedged hepatic venous pressure is normal, but portal venous pressure is high indicating a presinusoidal block. Patients are best managed with endoscopic therapy or surgery, with better results than in patients with cirrhosis. Nodular regenerative hyperplasia is a histological diagnosis characterized by development of nodules in the liver due to uneven perfusion of the portal venous blood. These patients may develop portal hypertension and if they bleed would require treatment as in NCPF/IPH. Schistosomiasis produces portal hypertension by the development of fibrous tissue around the portal veins as a response to schistosome eggs. Gratifying results have been reported with praziquantel therapy. Rarely sarcoidosis and chronic biliary obstruction may also produce portal venopathy.     

特发性门静脉高压症的彩色多普勒超声诊断与临床价值

目的探讨特发性门静脉高压症（IPH）的声像图特征,评价彩色多普勒对IPH的临床诊断价值。方法对25例IPH患者进行彩色多普勒超声检查,观察肝脏表面、内部回声、脾脏大小及肝内外门静脉系统等。结果25例患者中,25例均见门静脉肝内分支管壁增厚、回声增强、管腔狭窄甚至闭塞,15例实质回声增粗,门静脉海绵样变性22例,门静脉系统血栓5例,均为门静脉主干、脾静脉及肠系膜上静脉血栓,15例伴有胆道系统的异常。结论临床上不明原因的门脉高压及脾功能亢进患者均应进行彩色多普勒超声检查,肝内门静脉分支管壁增厚、管腔狭窄甚至闭塞的特征性改变及门静脉海绵样变性可提示IPH。     

Management of portal hypertension based on portal hemodynamics

Portal hypertension is most commonly caused by chronic liver disease. As liver damage progresses, portal pressure gradually elevates and hemodynamics of the portal system gradually change. In normal liver, venous returns from visceral organs join the portal trunk and flow into the liver (hepatopetal blood flow). As portal pressure increases due to liver damage, congestion of some veins of the visceral organ occurs (blood flow to and from). Finally, the direction of some veins (the left gastric vein in particular) of the visceral organ change (hepatofugal blood flow) and develop as collateral veins (portosystemic shunt) to reduce portal pressure. Therefore, esophagogastric varices serve as drainage veins for the portal venous system to reduce the portal pressure. In chronic liver disease, as intrahepatic vascular resistance is increased (backward flow theory) and collateral veins develop, adequate portal hypertension is required to maintain portal flow into the liver through an increase of blood flow into the portal venous system (forward flow theory). Splanchnic and systemic arterial vasodilatations increase the blood flow into the portal venous system (hyperdynamic state) and lead to portal hypertension and collateral formation. Hyperdynamic state, especially around the spleen, is detected in patients with portal hypertension. The spleen is a regulatory organ that maintains portal flow into the liver. In this review, surgical treatment, interventional radiology, endoscopic treatment, and pharmacotherapy for portal hypertension (esophagogastric varices in particular) are described based on the portal hemodynamics using schema.     

Acute Deterioration of Idiopathic Portal Hypertension Requiring Living Donor Liver Transplantation: A Case Report

Case reports of severe idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH) requiring liver transplantation are very rare. We report the case of a 65-year-old woman who was diagnosed as having IPH. At the age of 60 years, her initial symptom was hematemesis, due to ruptured esophageal varices. Computed tomography of the abdomen showed splenomegaly and a small amount of ascites, without liver cirrhosis. She was diagnosed as having IPH and followed-up as an outpatient. Five years later, she developed symptoms of a common cold and rapidly progressive abdominal distension. She was found to have severe liver atrophy, liver dysfunction, and massive ascites. Living donor liver transplantation was then performed, and her postoperative course was uneventful. Histopathological findings of the explanted liver showed collapse and stenosis of the peripheral portal vein. The areas of liver parenchyma were narrow, while the portal tracts and central veins were approximate one another, leading to a diagnosis of IPH. There was no liver cirrhosis. The natural history of refractory IPH could be observed in this case. Patients with end-stage liver failure due to severe IPH can be treated by liver transplantation.     

CO(2) wedged hepatic venography in the evaluation of portal hypertension

BACKGROUND/AIMS/METHODS: During hepatic vein catheterisation, in addition to measurement of hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG), iodine wedged retrograde portography can be easily obtained. However, it rarely allows correct visualisation of the portal vein. Recently, CO(2) has been suggested to allow better angiographic demonstration of the portal vein than iodine. In this study we investigated the efficacy of CO(2) compared with iodinated contrast medium for portal vein imaging and its role in the evaluation of portal hypertension in a series of 100 patients undergoing hepatic vein catheterisation, 71 of whom had liver cirrhosis. RESULTS: In the overall series, CO(2) venography was markedly superior to iodine, allowing correct visualisation of the different segments of the portal venous system. In addition, CO(2), but not iodine, visualised portal-systemic collaterals in 34 patients. In cirrhosis, non-visualisation of the portal vein on CO(2) venography occurred in 11 cases; four had portal vein thrombosis and five had communications between different hepatic veins. Among non-cirrhotics, lack of portal vein visualisation had a 90% sensitivity, 88% specificity, 94% negative predictive value, and 83% positive predictive value in the diagnosis of pre-sinusoidal portal hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: Visualisation of the venous portal system by CO(2) venography is markedly superior to iodine. The use of CO(2) wedged portography is a useful and safe complementary procedure during hepatic vein catheterisation which may help to detect portal thrombosis. Also, lack of demonstration of the portal vein in non-cirrhotic patients strongly suggests the presence of pre-sinusoidal portal hypertension.     

Non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis (idiopathic portal hypertension): experience with 151 patients and a review of the literature

BACKGROUND: Non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis (NCPF), the equivalent of idiopathic portal hypertension in Japan and hepatoportal sclerosis in the United States of America, is a common cause of portal hypertension in India. The clinical features, portographic and histological findings, and management of 151 patients with non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis are presented. METHODS: The disease is diagnosed by the presence of unequivocal evidence of portal hypertension in the definite absence of liver cirrhosis and extrahepatic portal vein obstruction (EHPVO). Retrospective analysis of records of 151 patients with NCPF was analyzed for the clinical presentation, physical findings, laboratory tests, radiological and histological findings, and for the outcome of treatment. RESULTS: The disease is characterized by massive splenomegaly with anemia, preserved liver function and benign prognosis in a majority of patients. Splenoportovenography (SPV) showed massive dilatation of the portal and splenic veins, and the presence of collaterals. Twenty-four (15.9%) patients showed evidence of natural/spontaneous shunts (splenorenal 15, umbilical nine) on SPV; these patients had a lower incidence of variceal bleeding. Liver histology demonstrated maintained lobular architecture, portal fibrosis of variable degree, sclerosis and obliteration of small-sized portal vein radicles, and subcapsular scarring with the collapse of the underlying parenchyma. Piecemeal or hepatocytic necrosis was absent in all histology specimens. Three patients showed nodular transformation along with abnormal liver functions, and may represent late manifestation of NCPF where features are similar to those seen in patients with incomplete septal cirrhosis. In the initial part of the study, surgery (side-to-side lieno-renal shunt) was the preferred modality of treatment, however, endoscopic sclerotherapy or variceal ligation has now become the preferred first line of management of variceal bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: The epidemiological and clinical features of NCPF have more similarity to IPH than has previously been documented. The development of spontaneous shunts tends to protect these patients from variceal bleeding.     

Non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis: current concepts and management

Non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (NCPH) comprises diseases having an increase in portal pressure (PP) due to intraheptic or prehepatic lesions, in the absence of cirrhosis. The lesions are generally vascular, either in the portal vein, its branches or in the perisinusoidal area. Because the wedged hepatic venous pressure is near normal, measurement of intravariceal or intrasplenic pressure is needed to assess PP. The majority of diseases included in the category of NCPH are well-characterized disease entities where portal hypertension (PHT) is a late manifestation and, hence, these are not discussed. Two diseases that present only with features of PHT and are common in developing countries are non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis (NCPF) and extrahepatic portal vein obstruction (EHPVO). Non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis is a syndrome of obscure etiology, characterized by 'obliterative portovenopathy' leading to PHT, massive splenomegaly and well-tolerated episodes of variceal bleeding in young adults from low socioeconomic backgrounds, having near normal hepatic functions. In some parts of the world, NCPF is called idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH) or 'hepatoportal sclerosis'. Because 85-95% of patients with NCPF and EHPVO present with variceal bleeding, treatment involves management with endoscopic sclerotherapy (EST) or variceal ligation (EVL). These therapies are effective in approximately 90-95% of patients. Gastric varices are another common cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in these patients and these can be managed with cyanoacrylate glue injection or surgery. Other indications for surgery include failure of EST/EVL, and symptomatic hypersplenism. The prognosis of patients with NCPF is good and 5 years survival in patients in whom variceal bleeding can be controlled has been reported to be approximately 95-100%.