Treatment of gastric fundal varices by balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration

Although less common than oesophageal varices in portal hypertension, gastric fundal varices carry a higher mortality rate when they rupture. They are less amenable to sclerotherapy. We have developed a minimally invasive balloon-occluded retrograde transverse obliteration (B-RTO) procedure to treat gastric fundal varices. B-RTO involves inserting a balloon catheter into an outflow shunt (gastric-renal or gastric-vena caval inferior) via the femoral or internal jugular vein. Blood flow is then blocked by inflating the balloon, and 5% ethanolamine oleate iopamidol is injected in a retrograde manner. The embolized gastric varix subsequentlyl disappears. B-RTO was performed in 32 patients with gastric varices. Follow-up endoscopies were performed at intervals of 2–4 months for an average observation period of 14 months. Eradication of the varices has been confirmed in 31 of 32 patients. No recurrence occurred in any patients in the follow-up period. There were no significant changes in liver function after the procedure. We conclude that B-RTO is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of gastric fundal varices.     

Splenoadrenal shunt. An original portosystemic decompressive technique

Management of gastrointestinal hemorrhage from rupture of esophageal and gastric varices due to portal hypertension remains a debated question. In patients with sclerotherapy-resistant esophagogastric varices, and preserved hepatic function, a surgical shunt is considered the treatment of choice. A 63-year-old male was admitted in our Department with a diagnosis of idiopathic fibrosis of the liver, portal hypertension, esophageal and gastric varices and previous history of variceal bleeding. A distal splenorenal shunt was planned. During the isolation, a large diameter left adrenal vein was identified. An end-to-end anastomosis utilizing the distal splenic vein and the proximal adrenal stump was performed. The procedure was uneventful. An ultrasound color-Doppler on the 3rd postoperative day, showed normal intrasplenic resistance index, demonstrating the efficacy of the shunt. A splenic angiography carried out on the 8th postoperative day showed the complete patency of the splenoadrenal shunt. At the 15th postoperative day, the patient was discharged. In patients with portal hypertension, sclerotherapy-resistant esophagogastric varices and preserved hepatic function, a surgical portosystemic shunt is mandatory. Splenoadrenal shunt, utilizing a left adrenal vein represent an excellent option in selected cases.     

Isolated gastric variceal bleeding caused by splenic lymphoma-associated splenic vein occlusion

Isolated gastric varices(IGV) can occur in patients with left-sided portal hypertension resulting from splenic vein occlusion caused by thrombosis or stenosis. In left-sided portal hypertension,blood flows retrogradely through the short and posterior gastric veins and the gastroepiploic veins,leading to the formation of an IGV. The most common causes of splenic vein occlusion are pancreatic diseases,such as pancreatic cancer,pancreatitis,or a pseudocyst. However,various other cancers,such as colon,gastric,or renal cancers,have also been known to cause splenic vein occlusion. Our patient presented with a rare case of IGV bleeding induced by splenic lymphoma-associated splenic vein occlusion. Splenectomy,splenic artery embolization,and stenting of the splenic vein are the current treatment choices. Chemotherapy,however,is an alternative effective treatment for splenic vein occlusion caused by chemotherapy-sensitive tumors. Our patient responded well to chemotherapy with a cyclophosphamide,hydroxydaunorubicin,oncovin,and prednisolone regimen,and the splenic vein occlusion resolved after the lymphoma regressed.     

Clinical significance and prediction factors of gastric varices in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hepatocellular carcinoma is part of the natural history of liver cirrhosis. Gastrointestinal bleeding and hepatic failure are the leading causes of death in hepatocellular carcinoma patients. With gastrointestinal bleeding, variceal bleeding is the most prominent, and most variceal bleeding is of esophageal origin. Gastric varices bleeding is often a massive and severe bleeding episode. The role of gastric varices among patients with hepatocellular carcinoma remains to be clarified. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence, clinical significance and prediction of gastric varices in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODOLOGY: From 1998 to 2000, we reviewed 304 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma receiving upper gastrointestinal endoscopic examinations. Patients' clinical characteristics, physical findings, laboratory data, image studies, endoscopic examinations and treatment were reviewed. RESULTS: Among 304 patients with HCC, twenty-one (6.9%) had gastric varices among 304 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. The location of gastric varices were the posterior wall in 12 (57%), the lesser curvature in 1 (5%), the greater curvature in 4 (19%) and the fundus in 4 (19%). Three (14%) of these 21 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and gastric varices had clinical evidence of bleeding. One of them died due to uncontrollable bleeding. Child-Pugh classification, hepatic encephalopathy, portal vein or splenic vein dilatation, ascites, splenomegaly, albumin level, prothrombin time and platelet count were significantly different between hepatocellular carcinoma patients with gastric varices and without gastric varices under the univariate analysis. Ascites (Odds ratio: 5.45; 95% confidence interval: 2.12-14.01) and portal vein or splenic vein dilatation (Odds ratio: 4.38; 95% confidence interval: 1.77-10.86) were the two most important predictors under the stepwise logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of gastric varices in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma is 6.9% and the risk of bleeding is low in this study. The Predictors of gastric varices among hepatocellular carcinoma are related to liver cirrhosis, Child-Pugh classification, hepatic encephalopathy, portal vein or splenic vein dilatation, ascites, splenomegaly, albumin level, prothrombin time and platelet count.     

Splenogastrorenal shunt in portal hypertension: a little known entity. Study of 6 cases and review of the literature

The authors report 6 cases of portal hypertension with gastrorenal shunt. This shunt did not arise from the left gastric vein, but from the splenic vein. Portal hypertension was related to alcoholic cirrhosis in 3 cases, to extensive portal thrombosis in 2 cases, and to nodular regenerative hyperplasia of the liver in one case. A gastrointestinal hemorrhage revealed portal hypertension and the liver disease in the 3 cases of alcoholic cirrhosis and complicated the course of the disease in the other cases. Hemorrhage was either massive and life-threatening or often recurred. It was related to a rupture of fundic varices in all cases. The fundic varices were not associated with esophageal varices in the 3 cases of cirrhosis. The degree of portal hypertension was above 20 mm Hg, as assessed by the portohepatic gradient (one case), or the pressure gradient between a tributary portal system vein and the inferior vena cava during laparotomy (5 cases). Definitive control of hemorrhage could not be achieved by endoscopic variceal sclerotherapy (2 cases) or percutaneous transhepatic embolization (one case). Portacaval shunt or splenectomy was performed in 5 cases. These findings suggest that spontaneous splenogastrorenal shunt is a clinical and hemodynamic entity which requires specific treatment when associated with gastric variceal bleeding.     

Splenic artery ligature associated with endoscopic banding for schistosomal portal hypertension

AIM:To propose a less invasive surgical treatment for schistosomal portal hypertension.METHODS:Ten consecutive patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis and portal hypertension with a history of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage from esophageal varices rupture were evaluated in this study.Patients were subjected to a small supraumbilical laparotomy with the ligature of the splenic artery and left gastric vein.During the procedure,direct portal vein pressure before and after the ligatures was measured.Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed at the 30th postoperative day,when esophageal varices diameter were measured and band ligature performed.During follow-up,other endoscopic procedures were performed according to endoscopy findings.RESULTS:There was no intra-operative mortality and all patients had confirmed histologic diagnoses ofschistosomal portal hypertension.During the immediate postoperative period,two of the ten patients had complications,one characterized by a splenic infarction,and the other by an incision hematoma.Mean hospitalization time was 4.1 d(range:2-7 d).Pre-and post-operative liver function tests did not show any significant changes.During endoscopy thirty days after surgery,a decrease in variceal diameters was observed in seven patients.During the follow-up period(57-72mo),endoscopic therapy was performed and seven patients had their varices eradicated.Considering the late postoperative evaluation,nine patients had a decrease in variceal diameters.A mean of 3.9 endoscopic banding sessions were performed per patient.Two patients presented bleeding recurrence at the late postoperative period,which was controlled with endoscopic banding in one patient due to variceal rupture and presented as secondary to congestive gastropathy in the other patient.Both bleeding episodes were of minor degree with no hemodynamic consequences or need for blood transfusion.CONCLUSION:Ligature of the splenic artery and left gastric vein with supraumbilical laparotomy is a promising and less invasive method for treating presinusoidal schistosomiasis portal hypertension.     

CT-maximum intensity projection is a clinically useful modality for the detection of gastric varices

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of CT-maximum intensity projection (CT-MIP) in the detection of gastric varices and their inflowing and outflowing vessels in patients with gastric varices scheduled to undergo balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (B-RTO). METHODS: Sixteen patients with endoscopically confirmed gastric varices were included in this study. All patients were evaluated with CT-MIP using three-dimensional reconstructions, before and after B-RTO. RESULTS: CT-MIP clearly depicted gastric varices in 16 patients (100%), the left gastric vein in 6 (32.5%), the posterior gastric vein in 12 (75.0%), the short gastric veins in 13 (81.3%), gastrorenal shunts in 16 (100%), the hemiazygos vein (HAZV) in 4 (25.0%), the pericardiophrenic vein (PCPV) in 9 (56.3%), and the left inferior phrenic vein in 9 patients (56.3%). Although flow direction itself cannot be determined from CT-MIP, this modality provided clear images of the inflowing and the outflowing vessels. Moreover, in one patient, short gastric veins were not seen on conventional angiographic portography images of the spleen, but were clearly revealed on CT-MIP. CONCLUSION: We suggest that CT-MIP should be considered as a routine method for detecting and diagnosing collateral veins in patients with gastric varices scheduled for B-RTO. Furthermore, CT-MIP is more useful than endoscopy in verifying the early therapeutic effects of B-RTO.     

Retrospective evaluation of risk factors of postoperative varices after pancreaticoduodenectomy with combined portal vein resection

BackgroundCombined portal vein (PV) resection is performed for pancreatic head cancer to achieve clear resection margins. This can be complicated by the formation of varices due to sinistral portal hypertension after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) with combined PV resection. However, clinical strategies to prevent varices formation due to sinistral portal hypertension remain controversial. Moreover, the critical vein among splenic vein (SPV), inferior mesenteric vein, left gastric vein, or middle colonic vein requiring preservation to prevent the development of varices remains unclear.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed patients with pancreatic cancer who underwent PD with combined PV resection over 18 years at our institution. Varices were evaluated using enhanced computed tomography (CT) and endoscopy. Preoperative types of porto-mesenterico-splenic confluence, venous drainage, and venous resection types were determined by operative records and CT findings.ResultsOf the 108 subjects, the incidence of postoperative varices was observed in 24.1% of cases over 5.6 months. These varices were classified into five types based on location, as pancreaticojejunostomy anastomotic (11.5%), gastrojejunostomy anastomotic (11.5%), esophageal (11.5%), splenic hilar-gastric (23.1%), and right colonic (65.4%) varices. No case of variceal bleeding occurred. Multivariate analysis showed SPV ligation as the greatest risk factor of varices (P < 0.001), with a higher incidence of left-sided varices in patients with all the SPV venous drainage sacrificed (60%) than in the others (16.7%). Therefore, sacrificing all the SPV venous drainage was the only independent risk factor of varices (P = 0.049).ConclusionsPreservation of SPV venous drainage should be considered during SPV ligation to prevent post-PD varices.     

Isolated gastric varices: splenic vein obstruction or portal hypertension?

The presence of isolated gastric varices without esophageal varices is thought to be highly suggestive of splenic vein obstruction. A review of our radiologic files revealed 14 patients with isolated gastric varices on barium studies performed during the past 10 years. Eight of the 14 patients had adequate clinical and/or radiologic follow-up to suggest the pathophysiology of the varices. Seven had evidence of portal hypertension, and the remaining patient had evidence of splenic vein obstruction. Six patients had signs of upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Double-contrast upper GI examinations revealed thickened, tortuous fundal folds in 6 patients and a lobulated fundal mass in 2. Thus, most patients with isolated gastric varices have portal hypertension rather than splenic vein obstruction as the underlying cause.     

Portal hemodynamics in patients with gastric varices. A study in 230 patients with esophageal and/or gastric varices using portal vein catheterization

The hemodynamic features of gastric varices are not well documented. The purpose of this study was to investigate the nature of hepatofugal collateral veins, their origins, the direction of blood flow in the major veins and collateral veins, and portal venous pressure. To this end, 230 patients, mostly cirrhotic, who had esophageal or gastric varices, or both, demonstrated by endoscopy were investigated by portal vein catheterization. The findings were correlated with endoscopically assessed degrees of varices. Gastric varices were seen in 57% of the patients with varices due to portal hypertension. In most of the patients with advanced gastric varices, esophageal varices were minimal or absent. When patients with gastric varices were compared with those having predominantly esophageal varices, it was found that advanced gastric varices were more frequently supplied by the short and posterior gastric veins, they were almost always associated with large gastrorenal shunts, and portal venous pressure in patients with large gastric varices was lower. Chronic portal systemic encephalopathy was more common in patients with large gastric varices due to hepatofugal flow of superior mesenteric venous blood in the splenic vein than in patients with predominantly esophageal varices. Thus, the hemodynamics in patients with large gastric varices are distinctly different from those in patients with mainly esophageal varices, and such differences seem to account for the differing incidence of chronic encephalopathy and variceal bleeding.     

Pancreatic endocrine carcinoma presenting with gastric varices derived by left-sided portal hypertension: a case report

We herein report a 71-year-old man with pancreatic carcinoma presenting as gastric varices caused by an obstruction of the splenic vein compressed by the tumor, which also invaded the spleen, stomach, transverse colon, left kidney, and left adrenal gland. A complete resection of distal pancreatomy and lymph node dissection with splenenctomy, left adrenalectomy, left nephrectomy, and partial resection of transverse colon and stomach were performed. After the resection, the gastric varices completely disappeared without any interventional therapy. The gastric varices observed in this case were considered to be derived from left-sided portal hypertension secondary to splenic vein occlusion, which is an uncommon complication mostly associated with pancreatitis and pancreatic carcinoma. Now that 17 months have passed after his operation, the patient is alive and in satisfactory condition without any signs of recurrence.     

门脉CTA及内镜对胃静脉曲张诊断及疗效评估的比较研究

目的探讨多层螺旋CT血管造影（门脉CTA，简称CTPA）在诊断门脉高压胃静脉曲张及内镜下胃静脉曲张黏合剂联合硬化剂治疗疗效评估中的作用。方法对20例内镜下证实存在胃静脉曲张的患者予以黏合剂联合硬化剂治疗，治疗前后分别进行多层螺旋CT血管门脉造影检查。结果20例门脉CTA检查均发现胃静脉曲张。GOV-型门脉CTA示血流来源以胃左静脉为主，GOV-2型则由胃左静脉、胃短／胃后静脉混合供血，IGV-型以胃短／胃后静脉供血为主，此型分流发生率较高。经内镜下黏合剂联合硬化剂治疗，孤立性瘤状胃静脉曲张（IGV-型）10例，总体有效率为90．00％，而非孤立性瘤状胃静脉曲张（GOV-型和GOV-型）9例，总体有效率为44．45％。结论门脉CTA能准确、直观、立体地显示血管解剖特点，为门脉高压胃静脉曲张的诊断、治疗方案的选择提供重要依据，并且可作为评估内镜下胃静脉曲张黏合剂联合硬化剂治疗疗效的一种重要手段。     

A case of gastric adenocarcinoma presenting as portal hypertension

Portal vein thrombus has been detected in patients with liver cirrhosis, pancreatitis, ulcerative colitis, septicemia, myeloproliferative disorder, and neoplasm. The formation of portal tumor thrombus by hepatocellular carcinoma is well recognized, because of its high incidence, and subsequent development of portal hypertension such as rupture of varices, ascites and liver failure indicates the poor prognosis. In gastric cancer, portal hypertension as an initial presentation is extremely rare. Herein we report a case presenting as portal hypertension caused by tumor thrombus without invasion of liver parenchyma. It is presumed to be intraluminal tumor thrombus originating from primary foci of gastric adenocarcinoma. Tumor thrombus in the portal vein is demonstrated on the PET-CT.     

肝硬化门静脉高压患者胃镜与B超表现相关性研究

目的 通过对肝炎肝硬化门静脉高压患者胃镜、B超检测结果行相关性分析，为临床判断肝硬化程度、早期预防并发症提供参考。方法 选择肝炎肝硬化门静脉高压患者192例，根据食管静脉曲张程度分为轻、中、重度3组。比较胃底静脉曲张在各组中发生比例，并测量门静脉主干宽度、脾静脉宽度、脾脏厚度，研究其与食管静脉曲张程度相关性。结果 3组患者胃底静脉曲张发生比例存在显著差异，食管静脉曲张程度越重，伴胃底静脉曲张比例越高；随食管静脉曲张程度不同，门静脉主干内径、脾静脉内径及脾脏厚度之间存在差异，脾脏厚度与脾静脉内径之间存在直线相关关系。结论 门静脉主干内径、脾静脉内径、脾脏厚度可为判断门静脉高压提供参考，综合上述3点并结合胃镜检查结果可较准确判断有无食管静脉曲张及程度。     

Therapeutic effects of endoscopic variceal ligation combined with partial splenic embolization for portal hypertension

AIM: To evaluate the feasibility of a new strategy of endoscopic variceal ligation combined with partial splenic embolization (EVL-PSE) for patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension. METHODS: From May 1999 to May 2002, 41 cases with cirrhosis and portal hypertension underwent EVL-PSE. Hemodynamics of the main portal vein (MPV), the left gastric vein (LGV) and azygos vein, including maximum velocity, flow rate and vein diameter, were assessed by Doppler ultrasonography. RESULTS: One case died from pulmonary artery embolism. One case complicated with splenic abscess was successfully managed by laparotomy. The esophageal varices and hypersplenism were well controlled after EVL-PSE in other patients. After EVL-PSE, the flow rate and velocity of MPV was significantly reduced (P<0.05), as well as the flow rate of the LGV and azygos vein. During the follow-up, no recurrent bleeding was found. CONCLUSION: Being more convenient and less invasive, EVL-PSE is hopeful to be a proper intervention strategy for portal hypertensive patients with impaired hepatic function or those intolerant to shunting or devascularization surgery.     

胰源性区域性门脉高压症——附14例报告

本文报告了14例胰源性区域性门脉高压症。本病为肝外型门脉高压症中罕见的一种，对未发现肝脏疾病，而有胃底，食管静脉曲张，脾肿大的病人，应考虑本病。门静脉造影可以确立诊断，经皮脾穿刺门静脉造影是确诊本症的三种简单可行的方法。本病可经脾切除治愈。     

Sinistral portal hypertension with bleeding gastric varices as initial manifestation of renal-cell carcinoma

We report a clinic case of renal-cell carcinoma presenting as sinistral portal hypertension; a clinical syndrome consisting of esplenic vein thrombosis manifested as isolated gastric varices with patent portal vein and normal hepatic function. The most frequent cause of this syndrome is pancreatic pathology. Renal-cell carcinoma is characterized by a wide variety of symptoms as initial manifestation. In our case, the patient developed a massive gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to isolated gastric varices caused by splenic vein thrombosis due to extrinsic compression by a hypernephroma that infiltrated the pancreas.     

Spontaneous hemoperitoneum due to rupture of the paraumbilical vein successfully treated with balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration

Spontaneous hemoperitoneum is an uncommon condition, which may be critical even if treated appropriately. The paraumbilical vein is a portosystemic collateral vein that develops in patients with portal hypertension, and is rarely found to be a source of bleeding. Here we present a case report of spontaneous hemoperitoneum due to rupture of the paraumbilical vein successfully treated with balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (B-RTO). A 69-year-old man with cirrhosis due to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis was admitted to our hospital with abdominal distention and pain. Computed tomography revealed hemoperitoneum with a dilated paraumbilical vein, and rupture of the paraumbilical vein was diagnosed to be the cause of anemia. B-RTO was performed via the left femoral vein with upstream embolization using microcoils, and thrombosis of the paraumbilical vein was confirmed after B-RTO. The patient was discharged without complications 20 days after B-RTO and he experienced no further episodes of bleeding during the subsequent 6-month period.     

Antral Varices

Varices of the gastric fundus, often associated with esophageal varices, are a common complication of portal hypertension or splenic vein occlusion. However, varices of the gastric antrum have been reported rarely. We describe a 61-yr-old man with antral and esophageal varices caused by portal hypertension due to hepatic cirrhosis.     

A case of gastric varices with gastropericardiac shunt successfully treated by balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration via the pericardiophrenic vein using a microballoon catheter

Gastric fundal varices developed in a 72-year-old female patient with liver cirrhosis due to hepatitis C virus infection after endoscopic injection sclerotherapy for esophageal varices. Three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) imaging demonstrated that gastrorenal shunts were absent as the drainage vessels of the varices, and the blood flows drained mainly into the pericardiophrenic vein. Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (B-RTO) was performed using a microballoon catheter to prevent bleeding from the gastric varices. The left inferior phrenic vein detectable as the second drainage vessel by venography was embolized with metallic coils and ethanolamine oleate solution was injected into the varices following occlusion of blood flow with a microballoon located in the pericardiophrenic vein. CT examination performed 7 days following B-RTO therapy revealed that the blood flow had disappeared with thrombus formation in the varices. B-RTO therapy with a microballoon catheter may be a useful therapy for gastric fundal varices even in cases without gastrorenal shunts, if the main drainage vessels are determined.