Hepatic Veins and Inferior Vena Cava Thrombosis in a Child Treated by Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt

We report the case of a 9-year-old boy with portal hypertension, due to Budd-Chiari syndrome, and retrohepatic inferior vena cava thrombosis, submitted to a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) by connecting the suprahepatic segment of the inferior vena cava directly to the portal vein. After 3 months, the withdrawal of anticoagulants promoted the thrombosis of the TIPS. At TIPS revision, thrombosis of the TIPS and the main portal vein and clots at the splenic and the superior mesenteric veins were found. Successful angiography treatment was performed by thrombolysis and balloon angioplasty of a severe stenosis at the distal edge of the stent.     

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in a child with Budd-Chiari syndrome: technical modification and extended followup

An 8-year-old girl with Budd-Chiari syndrome presented with upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage and ascites. TIPS to decompress the portal hypertension was performed by puncturing the portal vein directly from the inferior vena cava. The shunt remains patent after 3 years without requiring secondary intervention.     

门静脉癌栓合并门脉高压症的TIPS姑息治疗

目的 评价门静脉癌栓（portal vein tumor thrombosis,PVTT) 合并门脉高压症患者行经颈静脉肝内门体静脉分流术（transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt,TIPS)姑息治疗的疗效，并讨论其技术特点。方法 本组报告14例终末期肝癌合并门静脉癌栓及门静脉高压症患者，平均年龄53．6％。8例门静脉主干完全堵塞，6例门静脉主干及分支有不同程度栓塞，5例合并门静脉海绵样变。1例单纯上消化道大出血，3例单纯顽固性腹水，10例上消化道大出血合并顽固性腹水。结果 14例中10例患者成功行TIPS治疗，门静脉压力平均从术前37.2mmHg(1mmHg=0.133kPa)降至术后18.2mmHg，平均降低19.0mmHg；腹水减少或消失，消化道出血，腹胀，腹泻等症状缓解，平均生存32.3d。4例失败。结论 TIPS是姑息治疗肝癌合并门静脉癌栓引起的上消化道大出血和顽固性腹水的有效方法。     

Ultrasonography-guided percutaneous transhepatic portacaval shunt creation

We successfully created a percutaneous transhepatic portacaval shunt under ultrasonography (US) guidance in a 46-year-old man with refractory ascites. The shunt was created to salvage an attempt to create a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) that failed because of the elevated level of portal vein bifurcation due to alcoholic liver cirrhosis. Under US guidance, we simultaneously punctured the right branch of the portal vein and the inferior vena cava (IVC) using a two-step biliary drainage set. An Amplatz gooseneck snare was introduced transjugularly to retrieve the percutaneously inserted guidewire. The intrahepatic tract between the portal vein and the IVC was dilated using a balloon catheter, and a stent was placed in the tract. The patient showed complete resolution of ascites at discharge. We assume that our method is an alternative method for TIPS creation in patients with inadequate anatomical relations between the portal vein branches and the hepatic veins. This approach is thought to be feasible for patients with occluded or small hepatic veins.     

CT-Guided Transfemoral Portocaval Shunt Creation

A patient with superior vena cava (SVC) occlusion presented with severe ascites and urgent transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) was requested. The patient had a chronically occluded SVC. An alternative to classic TIPS was employed using CT guidance to traverse the left portal vein to the inferior vena cava with a small gauge needle. Fluoroscopic guidance was then used to snare a wire placed through the needle and then work from the femoral vein to create a portocaval shunt that passed through the caudate lobe. This procedure was a technical success and improved the patient's ascites.     

合并肝癌的门脉高压患者TIPS治疗适应证及临床结果

目的 评价肝癌患者行经颈静脉肝内门腔静脉分流术（TIPS）的安全性和可行性。方法 886例肝硬化门脉高压静脉曲张破裂出血行TIPS术病例中，36例术前伴有肝癌（4．06％），ChildA 级9例，B级11例，C级16例。31例患者术前已行至少2次肝动脉化疗灌注栓塞（TACE），癌肿已被较好控制。5例患者为急诊TIPS。肝内肿块经由增强CT确认不在穿刺分流道33例，3例居常规穿刺分流道。前者采用经典TIPS方法，后者采用经腔静脉避绕法向门静脉分支穿刺。结果 36例合并肝癌的TIPS分流道建立均获成功。静脉曲张出血及腹水得到的有效地控制。27例肝癌患者用TACE及经皮无水乙醇病灶注射已有效控制，平均术后生存率4．5年。结论 肝硬化门脉高压静脉曲张破裂出血，同时伴原发性肝癌患者TIPS是一种安全有效的方法。     

Ultrasound-guided transhepatic puncture of the hepatic veins for TIPS placement

Purpose

This retrospective analysis was carried out to assess the feasibility and results of transjugular intrahepatic portal systemic shunt (TIPS) performed with ultrasound (US)-guided percutaneous puncture of the hepatic veins.

Material and methods

Over a period of 3 years, 153 patients were treated with TIPS at our centre. In eight cases, a percutaneous puncture of the middle (n=7) or right (n=1) hepatic vein was required because the hepatic vein ostium was not accessible. Indications for TIPS were bleeding (n=1), Budd-Chiari syndrome (n=1), ascites (n=2), reduced portal flow (n=1) and incomplete portal thrombosis (n=3). A 0.018-in. guidewire was anterogradely introduced into the hepatic vein to the inferior vena cava (IVC) through a 21-gauge needle. In the meantime, a 25-mm snare-loop catheter was introduced through the jugular access to retrieve the guidewire, achieving through-andthrough access. Then, a Rosch-Uchida set was used to place the TIPS with the traditional technique.

Results

Technical success was achieved in all patients. There was one case of stent thrombosis. One patient died of pulmonary oedema. Three patients were eligible for liver transplantation, whereas the others were excluded due to shunt thrombosis (n=1) and previous nonhepatic neoplasms (n=3).

Conclusions

The percutaneous approach to hepatic veins is rapid and safe and may be useful for avoiding traumatic liver injuries.     

Experimental TIPS with spiral Z-stents in swine with and without induced portal hypertension

Purpose To assess the suitability of spiral Z-stents for transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) and the influence of portal hypertension on shunt patency in young swine. Methods TIPS were established using spiral Z-stents in 14 domestic swine. In 7 animals, the portal venous pressure was normal; in the other 7, acute portal hypertension was induced by embolization of portal vein branches. Follow-up portal venography and histologic evaluations were done from 1 hr to 12 weeks after TIPS. Results Follow-up transhepatic portal venograms showed progressive narrowing of the shunt, most priminent in the midportion of the tract. Ingrowth of liver parenchyma between the stent wires found after 3 weeks led to progressive shunt narrowing and shunt occlusion by 12 weeks. A pseudointima grew rapidly inside the stent, peaked in thickness around 4 weeks, and decreased later. Acutely created portal hypertension rapidly returned to normal and there was no difference in TIPS patency between the two groups of animals. Conclusion Although the spiral Z-stent can be used as a device for creation of TIPS in patients with cirrhotic livers, it is associated with extensive liver ingrowth in swine that leads to rapid shunt occlusion. Portal hypertension was only transient in this model.     

Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Creation in Budd-Chiari Syndrome: Percutaneous Ultrasound-Guided Direct Simultaneous Puncture of the Portal Vein and Vena Cava

Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) is an uncommon disorder that can be life-threatening, depending on the degree of hepatic venous outflow obstruction. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) provides decompression of the congested liver but the hepatic vein obstruction makes the procedure more difficult. We describe a modified method that involved a single percutaneous puncture of the portal vein and inferior vena cava simultaneously for TIPS creation in a patient with BCS.     

Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Creation Using a Radiofrequency Wire: Acute Feasibility Study in Swine

The feasibility of a radiofrequency (RF) wire to replace the needle trocar for the creation of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) was assessed in 3 swine by using fluoroscopy and intravascular ultrasonography (IVUS). RF wire passes were successful from hepatic to portal vein and from inferior vena cava to portal vein. Technical success was achieved using both IVUS guidance and carbon dioxide portography. The wire tracked a straight course under RF energy application without subjective deflection and, when centrally advanced, served as the working wire for completing the TIPS in 2 attempts with stent graft deployment. No procedural adverse events from the use of RF wire were observed.     

Early sonographic evaluation of the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS)

The purpose of this study was to evaluate duplex and color Doppler findings in patients before and within 24 h after transjugular intrahepatic porto-systemic shunts (TIPS). Conventional duplex and color Doppler were used in the assessment of 19 patients who underwent TIPS as part of a prospective protocol. Patients were examined within 24 h before and after the procedure. Before TIPS, patency, flow direction, and peak flow velocity in the main portal vein and hepatic artery were studied, as well as patency and flow direction in hepatic veins, splenic vein, and inferior vena cava (IVC). Immediately after the procedure, sonographic identification of stent position, shunt patency, and flow dynamics were evaluated and patency and flow direction of hepatic veins, splenic vein, and IVC were determined. The portogram performed at the end of the procedure was compared with the 24-h sonographic studies after TIPS to determined sonographic/angiographic correlation. No intraparenchymal abnormalities or perihepatic fluid collections were detected after the procedure. The metallic stent was clearly seen in all patients. Mean peak shunt flow velocities were 139±50 cm/sec within 24 h after TIPS. Absence of flow through the shunt was correctly identified in one case and confirmed angiographically. Mean peak flow velocity in the portal vein before TIPS was 22±13.6 cm/sec and increased to 43.6±9.1 cm/sec after TIPS (p<0.05). The hepatic artery peak systolic velocity increased from 77±51 cm/sec before TIPS to 119±53 cm/sec after the procedure (p=0.029). Conventional duplex and color Doppler ultrasound proved to be a useful non-invasive diagnostic method to assess patients who have undergone TIPS. We propose its use as the primary diagnostic modality in these patients.     

与TIPSS相关的影像学解剖关系的研究

目的应用多种医学影像学及解剖学方法，研究与经颈静脉肝内门腔静脉内支架分流术（ＴＩＰＳＳ）密切相关的解剖学改变，以提高操作的成功率、可靠性及安全性，并探索新的导向方式及分流途径。材料与方法采用ＭＲＩ、ＣＴ、血管造影、肝脏血管铸型等手段，研究肝动脉、胆管和门静脉的伴行情况及相互空间关系，估计各种穿刺途径对其损伤的可能性。分析肝段下腔静脉与门静脉的空间关系。结果胆管和肝动脉主要位于门静脉分叉及主干的前方、前上方；在右干分叉部及左干角部、矢状部分布不规则，可位于其后上或左右方。肝动脉，特别是肝右动脉和门静脉关系密切，可作为穿刺导向。肝段下腔静脉距门静脉分叉及左右干均较近，穿刺有较大的安全范围，可作为新的分流途径。结论熟悉肝脏血管解剖、应用有效导向、避免胆道和肝动脉损伤可提高ＴＩＰＳＳ疗效     

1999 Gary J. Becker Young Investigator Award. MR-guided transjugular portosystemic shunt placement in a swine model.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the performance of portal venous puncture with use of magnetic resonance (MR) guidance, and to place a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in a swine model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A study of 12 swine was performed to evaluate the ability of interventional MR imaging to guide portal vein puncture and TIPS placement. Six swine had catheters placed in the right hepatic vein under C-arm fluoroscopy. A nitinol guide wire was left in the vein and the animals were then moved into an open configuration MR imaging unit. A TIPS needle set was used to puncture the portal vein using MR fluoroscopy. The animals were transferred to the C-arm, and venography confirmed portal vein puncture. A follow-up study was performed in six additional swine to place a TIPS using only MR imaging guidance. MR tracking was used to advance a catheter from the right atrium into the inferior vena cava. Puncture of the portal vein was performed and a nitinol stent was placed, bridging the hepatic parenchyma. MR venogram confirmed placement. RESULTS: Successful portal vein puncture was achieved in all animals. The number of punctures required decreased from 12 in the first animal to a single puncture in the last eight swine. A stent was successfully placed across the hepatic tract in all six swine. CONCLUSIONS: Real-time MR imaging proved to be a feasible method to guide portal vein puncture and TIPS placement in pigs.     

Angiography of liver transplantation patients

Over 45 months, 119 angiographic examinations were performed in 95 patients prior to liver transplantation, and 53 examinations in 44 patients after transplantation. Transplantation feasibility was influenced by patency of the portal vein and inferior vena cava. Selective arterial portography, wedged hepatic venography, and transhepatic portography were used to assess the portal vein if sonography or computed tomography was inconclusive. Major indications for angiography after transplantation included early liver failure, sepsis, unexplained elevation of liver enzyme levels, and delayed bile leakage, all of which may be due to hepatic artery thrombosis. Other indications included gastrointestinal tract bleeding, hemobilia, and evaluation of portal vein patency in patients with chronic rejection who were being considered for retransplantation. Normal radiographic features of hepatic artery and portal vein reconstruction are demonstrated. Complications diagnosed using results of angiography included hepatic artery or portal vein stenoses and thromboses and pancreaticoduodenal aneurysms. Intrahepatic arterial narrowing, attenuation, slow flow, and poor filling were seen in five patients with rejection.     

经皮经肝肝内门体分流术的手术方法与临床应用

目的介绍经皮经肝肝内门体分流术（PTIPS）的手术方法及围术期情况。 方法2009年11月—2013年3月,76例门静脉高压患者接受经门静脉右支PTIPS,临床表现为消化道出血69例（其中23例合并不同程度腹腔积液）,单纯性顽固性腹腔积液7例。术前肝功能Child-Pugh A级23例,B级35例,C级18例。上腹部CT/MRI显示34例肝脏重度萎缩,肝裂明显增宽;25例伴门静脉血栓/癌栓形成合并门静脉海绵样变性。经皮成功穿刺门静脉右下分支后,沿同一穿刺道经门静脉"逆行"穿刺肝静脉或肝段下腔静脉,建立肝内门体分流道。 结果76例患者PTIPS成功率100%。门静脉压差由术前（32.35±2.89）mmHg降至术后（18.42±1.32）mmHg（P<0.001）。2例患者发生腹腔出血,栓塞相应肝动脉后治愈。1例肝功能C级患者术后5天因肝衰竭死亡,余75例患者术后1个月内门脉高压症状消失。 结论PTIPS是传统经颈静脉肝内门体分流术（TIPS）的补充,是一种安全、有效的治疗方法,手术成功率高,大大拓展了介入性门体分流术的应用范围。     

Successful transfemoral creation of an intrahepatic portosystemic shunt with use of the Viatorr device

Although the large majority of cases are anatomically favorable and therefore technically feasible, congenital or acquired conditions may complicate or even preclude successful creation of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). The present report describes the use of the inferior right hepatic vein from a femoral vein access to obtain portal access and place a covered stent, reconstruct a partially occluded portal vein, and embolize large gastric varices in a patient with a persistent left superior vena cava (SVC) and absent right SVC.     

经皮经肝肝内门体分流术的多层CT影像研究

目的 探讨严重肝硬化患者肝实质、门静脉与肝静脉或肝后段下腔静脉在影像上的特征,评估经皮经肝肝内门 体分流术(PTIPS)的可行性及安全性,为该技术的临床应用提供解剖依据。方法 50例经临床及影像证实的严重肝硬化患者,在多层螺旋CT(MDCT)上模拟PTIPS,选右侧腋中线第8或第9肋间为经皮穿刺点A点,门静脉右支主十远端为门静脉穿刺点B点,肝右静脉汇入下腔静脉处为肝静脉或下腔静脉穿刺点C点,门静脉主干起始处为D点。A、B、C 三点连线为经皮经肝穿刺道,C、B、D 三点连线即门体分流道。所有患者肝脏CT增强扫描后行MPR后处理,测量数据用x±s表示,并计算总体均数的95％可信区间。同时分析门静脉右支与肝后段下腔静脉、肝动脉及胆管的解剖关系。结果 模拟穿刺针体内部分的长度（A-B-C长度）为(145.7±14.8) mm;穿刺针的弯度（A-B径线与B-C径线夹角）为(145.0±9.9)°;肝实质段分流道的长度（B-C长度）为(42.7±7.2) mm;当门静脉主干闭塞时,分流道长度（C-B-D长度）为(117.7 ±11.6) mm;分流道的角度（B-C径线与B-D径线夹角）为(108.5±5.9)°。50例患者中肝后段下腔静脉位于门静脉右支背侧者24例,位于同一平面者26例;肝右动脉及右肝管均位于门静脉右支腹侧。经门静脉右支穿刺肝右静脉或肝后段下腔静脉的路径中无大的动脉、胆管等重要结构。结论 从解剖学角度分析,PTIPS具有可行性及安全性,通过量化穿刺针的长度、角度及分流道长度、角度,可为该技术的临床应用提供解剖依据。     

Budd-Chiari syndrome: CT observations

The authors describe four patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome in whom contrast material-enhanced computed tomographic (CT) scans demonstrated low-density venous thrombosis in three sites not, to our knowledge, previously described with this modality. Thrombosis was seen in the portal circulation, the hepatic veins, and the intrahepatic inferior vena cava. It is known that concomitant portal vein thrombosis may be seen in 20% of patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome. Three of the four patients in the current study had this finding, one with extensive thrombosis of portal, mesenteric, and splenic veins and the other two with portal vein branch involvement. In one patient hepatic vein thrombosis was demonstrated with CT, and in three inferior vena cava clot was demonstrated. All four patients had the distinctive hepatic parenchymal contrast enhancement pattern seen in this condition, which the authors think may be at least partially caused by associated portal thrombosis. The presence of portal venous thrombosis should prompt the observer to consider the diagnosis of Budd-Chiari syndrome. Detection of hepatic vein clot confirms the diagnosis and may be seen in this condition in association with inferior vena cava thrombus.     

改良式TIPS的解剖学基础研究

目的 探讨肝硬化门脉高压患者下腔静脉、肝静脉与门静脉三者之间的影像解剖学关系,评估改良式TIPS,即经肝段下腔静脉入路经颈静脉肝内门体分流术的安全性与可行性.方法 64例临床证实的肝硬化患者,肝功能Child-Pugh B级40例,C级24例,行肝脏双期增强扫描后行CT多层面重组(MPR)及曲面重建(CPR)后处理,将测量所得数据进行配对t检验.结果 Child-Pugh B级者肝段下腔静脉的长度与C级者相比前者较长(P＜0.05).以肝段下腔静脉穿刺点为A1,肝右静脉开口2 cm处的穿刺点为A2,门静脉分叉部穿刺点为B1,门静脉右支开口2 cm处的穿刺点为B2,A1 B1线的长度与A2 B1线的长度相比前者较短(P＜0.05),A1 B2线和A2 B2线与B2点所在门静脉右支径线的夹角大小相比前者较小(P＜0.05).A1 B1线和A1 B2线分别与所在门静脉径线的夹角相比前者较大(P＜0.05),A2 B1线和A2 B2线分别与所在门静脉径线的夹角相比前者较大(P＜0.05).结论 从解剖学角度分析,改良式TIPS具备安全性及可行性,较传统TIPS术式还具有分流道走行顺畅,对血流动力学影响小的优点.     

Transjugular intrahepatic portocaval shunt after thrombus disruption in partially thrombosed portal veins

Portal vein (PV) thrombosis increases the risk of variceal bleeding in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension. Its presence also complicates PV access during transjugular porto-caval shunt (TIPS) placement. We overcame this obstacle by using ultrasound (US) guidance for PV entry. Clot disruption by balloon catheters was then performed before placing the vascular endoprostheses for portal-venous shunting. We treated 3 cirrhotic patients in such fashion with good clinical results. Portal thrombi progressively disappeared after shunting due to both balloon disruption and the rise in portal blood flow velocity.