Transarterial embolization of an extrahepatic portal vein aneurysm with arterioportal fistula

We successfully performed transcatheter arterial embolization of an extrahepatic arterioportal fistula with a portal vein aneurysm. The fistula was considered secondary to cholecystectomy for cholecystolithiasis 5 years earlier. After occlusion of the fistula with platinum coils, the aneurysmal cavity thrombosed.     

Percutaneous vascular intervention after surgical shunting for portal hypertension

Twenty percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) procedures and 13 percutaneous venous embolization (PVE) procedures were performed in 23 patients who either had or were at risk for the development of recurrent bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy, or both after surgical shunt placement for portal hypertension. PTA, performed in 12 patients with significant shunt stenoses, resulted in reduction or elimination of gradients in all patients; rebleeding has occurred in only one patient. Complications consisted of one fatal rupture of a mesocaval interposition vein graft and one balloon rupture requiring surgical removal. PVE, performed in 11 patients, resulted in measurable improvement in four of seven encephalopathic patients and temporary control in the two patients with intractable bleeding. Three patients underwent PVE prophylactically. PTA of graft strictures is a valuable treatment modality. Embolization may be helpful in selected cases of hepatic encephalopathy.     

Portosystemic shunting in portal hypertension: evaluation with portal scintigraphy with transrectally administered I-123 IMP

Portosystemic shunting was evaluated with rectal administration of iodine-123 iodoamphetamine (IMP) in seven patients without liver disease and 53 patients with liver cirrhosis. IMP (2-3 mCi [74-111 MBq]) was administered to the rectum through a catheter. Images of the chest and abdomen were obtained for up to 60 minutes with a scintillation camera interfaced with a computer. In all patients, images of the liver and/or lungs were observed within 5-10 minutes and became clear with time. In patients without liver disease, only liver images could be obtained, whereas the lung was visualized with or without the liver in all patients with liver cirrhosis. The portosystemic shunt index was calculated by dividing counts of lungs by counts of liver and lung. These values were significantly higher in liver cirrhosis, especially in the decompensated stage. Transrectal portal scintigraphy with IMP appears to be a useful method for noninvasive and quantitative evaluation of portosystemic shunting in portal hypertension.     

Hyperdynamic hemangioma with proximal arterioportal shunting: a rare manifestation

Arterioportal shunting, when associated with hemangioma, is usually small, peripherally located, and without hemodynamic significance. Proximal arterioportal shunting occurring in hemangioma has rarely been reported. Herein we report a patient with renal cell carcinoma who simultaneously was found to have a hyperdynamic hemangioma in the liver. The imaging features were confusing and evoked diagnostic difficulty before operation.     

Intrahepatic arterioportal fistulae: Role of transcatheter embolization

Management of 26 arterioportal fistulae (APFs) is reported. Among 13 hepatoma-induced fistulae (group A), conservative treatment was inefective in 8 patients, and arterial embolization alleviated portal hypertension in the other 5. Of 10 iatrogenic APFs (group B), the 3 largest were successfully embolized, the remaining lesions resolved spontaneously. Three spontaneous nonmalignant APFs (group C) were embolized. Excellent results were obtained in 2 patients, and the other died of severe postembolization hepatic failure. Because long-standing APFs may cause severe portal hypertension with consequent variceal bleeding they should be treated. Arterial embolization is indicated in most patients.     

弹簧圈栓塞治疗门静脉高压性肠道造瘘口出血及疗效分析

目的 评估弹簧圈栓塞治疗门静脉高压性肠道造瘘口出血的可行性及安全性:方法2008年2月-2010年5月,上海公利医院共收治8例门静脉高压性肠道造瘘口出血患者,其中直肠癌术后4例、乙状结肠癌术后3例、降结肠癌术后1例.所有患者术前均经CTA血管重建检查,经血管造影证实.治疗方法均为经皮穿肝经门静脉至迂曲扩张肠系膜静脉,置入弹簧钢圈栓塞迂曲扩张静脉,同时联合脾栓塞.术后随访2个月至2年,依据CT增强扫描、彩色多普勒超声检查、术后止血率及复发率评估临床疗效.结果 所有8例皆1次栓塞成功,均获满意止血,术后无严重并发症.术后1周行增强CT检查,弹簧圈位置均良好,未南腔北调曲张静脉增强显影.术后2周彩色多普勒超声检古曲张静脉团内未见血流.本组患者随访期间均未出现造瘘口再出血.结论 经皮肝穿经门静脉栓塞曲张静脉治疗门静脉高压性肠道造瘘口出血安全、有效,值得临床推广.     

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.     

Portal flow and arterioportal shunting after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt creation

PURPOSE: It was postulated that a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) produces arterioportal shunting and accounts for reversed flow in the intrahepatic portal veins (PVs) after creation of the TIPS. This study sought to quantify this shunting in patients undergoing TIPS creation and/or revision with use of a direct catheter-based technique and by measuring changes in blood oxygenation within the TIPS and the PV. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study consisted of 26 patients. Median Model for End-stage Liver Disease and Child-Pugh scores were 13 and 9, respectively. Primary TIPS creation was attempted in 21 patients and revision of failing TIPS was undertaken in five. In two patients, TIPS creation was unsuccessful. All TIPS creation procedures but one were performed with use of polytetrafluoroethylene-covered stent-grafts. Flow within the main PV (Q(portal)) was measured with use of a retrograde thermodilutional catheter before and after TIPS creation/revision, and TIPS flow (Q(TIPS)) was measured at procedure completion. The amount of arterioportal shunting was assumed to be the increase between final Q(portal) and Q(TIPS), assuming Q(TIPS) was equivalent to the final Q(portal) plus the reversed flow in the right and left PVs. Oxygen saturation within the TIPS and the PV was determined from samples obtained during TIPS creation and revision. RESULTS: Mean Q(portal) before TIPS creation was 691 mL/min; mean Q(portal) after TIPS creation was 1,136 mL/min, representing a 64% increase (P = .049). Mean Q(TIPS) was 1,631 mL/min, a 44% increase from final Q(portal) (P = .0009). Among cases of revision, baseline Q(portal) was 1,010 mL/min and mean Q(portal) after TIPS revision was 1,415 mL/min, a 40% increase. Mean Q(TIPS) was 1,693 mL/min, a 20% increase from final Q(portal) (P = .42). Arterioportal shunting rates were 494 mL/min after TIPS creation and 277 mL/min after TIPS revision, representing 30% of total Q(TIPS) after TIPS creation and 16% of Q(TIPS) after TIPS revision. No increase in oxygen tension or saturation was seen in the PV or TIPS compared with initial PV levels. Q(TIPS) did not correlate with the portosystemic gradient. CONCLUSION: TIPS creation results in significant arterioportal shunting, with less arterioportal shunting seen among patients who undergo TIPS revision. Further work is necessary to correlate Q(TIPS) with the risk of hepatic encephalopathy and liver failure.     

应用白芨建立门静脉高压动物模型

目的寻求制作门静脉高压动物模型的最佳方法，并以此为基础从事肝硬化后门静脉血液动力学基础研究。方法以3组共15只兔为动物模型，分别以0.2％、0．4％、0.8％浓度的白芨粉为栓塞材料，开腹注入兔门静脉内，手术前后行门静脉测压、血管造影及病理学检查，最长观察时间阎周.结果以0．4％浓度白芨粉制作门静脉高压模型最佳，4周后肝脏体积缩小20％，门静脉压平均升高40％，病理呈典型坏死后肝硬化表现。结论以白芨粉为栓塞材料制作肝硬化门静脉高压动物模型方法简单、效果可靠已重复性好.以不同浓度的白芨栓塞剂来控制坏死后肝纤维化的程度是本试验的一大特点,本动物模型的建立对深入研究肝硬化门静脉高压的成因及治疗措施有着重要意义。     

Intrahepatic arterioportal shunting and anomalous venous drainage: understanding the CT features in the liver

The increased use of high-contrast volume, arterial-phase studies of the liver has demonstrated the frequent occurrence of arterioportal shunts within both the cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic liver. This article sets out to explain the underlying microcirculatory mechanisms behind these commonly encountered altered perfusion states. Similarly, well-recognised portal perfusion defects occur around the perifalciform and perihilar liver and are largely caused by anomalous venous drainage via the paraumbilical and parabiliary venous systems. The underlying anatomy will be discussed and illustrated. These vascular anomalies are all caused by or result in diminished portal perfusion and are often manifest in the setting of portal venous thrombosis. The evolving concept of zonal re-perfusion following portal vein thrombosis will be discussed.     

Hepatocellular carcinoma: combined hepatic, arterial, and portal venous embolization

Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) is an effective means of treating primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, in many cases of HCC the tumor recurs after treatment. In an attempt to obtain complete tumor necrosis, the authors studied the clinical and histologic effect of simultaneous embolization of both the hepatic artery and portal vein in ten patients with HCC. In those cases in which combined embolization caused infarction, tumor cells in the main tumor, tumor cells that had invaded the tumor capsule, and small intrahepatic metastases had become totally necrotic following treatment. No viable tumor cells were detected in four patients who subsequently underwent operations; nor were viable tumor cells present in one other patient who later died as a result of a perforated duodenal ulcer. Five patients who did not subsequently undergo operations were still free of the disease 2-17 months after combined arterial and portal embolization. The impact of combined embolization on liver function was nearly the same as that produced when TAE was performed alone. Combined embolization may be a viable alternative to hepatectomy for the treatment of HCC.     

晚期肝病患者肺内分流与门脉高压关系的研究

目的:探讨终末期肝病患者肺内分流与门脉高压症发生的相关关系。方法:对35例拟肝移植患者进行了前瞻性研究,采用对比增强超声心动图(CEE)的超声检查方法,将CEE证实有或无肺内分流的患者分为两组,对比分析肺内分流发生与门脉高压症各征象的相互关系。结果:①35例患者中有或无肺内分流分别为11例(31%);24例(69%),肺内分流组的患者均无低氧血症(PaO2>70mmHg);②两组间在肝硬化病因和肝功能异常差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);③二组间在上消化道出血发生率(4/11 vs 1/24)差异有统计学意义(P<0.01),而在食道静脉曲张(EV)、胸腹水、肝肾综合征、肝性脑病的发生率差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);④二组间在脾脏厚度〔(58.7±21.8)mm vs(46.1±12.0)mm〕对比有统计学意义(P<0.05),而在门静脉内径(PV)差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:门静脉高压是晚期肝病合并肺毛细血管扩张的主要促发因素,其中门脉高压征象EVB及脾脏厚度可提示亚临床早期肺内血管异常。     

Aneurysm of the extrahepatic portal vein associated with segmental portal hypertension and spontaneous porto-caval shunting through the inferior mesenteric vein.

A case of a congenital aneurysm of the extrahepatic portal vein is reported. It was complicated by segmental portal hypertension of the territory of the inferior mesenteric vein, which was a pathway for spontaneous porto-caval shunting.     

The hemodynamic significance of the angiographic changes after portasystemic shunting interventions for portal hypertension]

Seventy-two patients (52 males and 20 females, mean age: 50.6 years) were studied. They had undergone distal splenorenal shunts according to Warren and its modifications for portal hypertension. All patients were examined with digital and/or conventional angiography preoperatively and 15 days postoperatively. Preoperative and postoperative angiography was employed to evaluate the changes in vessel diameters including the hepatic, splenic and superior mesenteric arteries, the splenic, superior mesenteric and portal veins; the length of the main axis of the spleen was also measured. Furthermore, the degree of hepatic portal venous perfusion was evaluated according to the degree of portomesenteric-gastrosplenic disconnection. After surgery, the length of the main axis of the spleen is reduced and the hepatic artery diameter is increased, which are both signs of preserved hepatic flow and of reduced hypertension in the splanchnic venous system. The postoperative degrees of portal perfusion were correlated with the degrees of disconnection. In conclusion, the role is emphasized of early angiographic examinations after distal portosystemic shunts according to Warren to evaluate postoperative hemodynamic changes.     

部分脾脏栓塞术治疗肝硬化门脉高压合并脾机能亢进的临床研究

目的 :探讨部分脾脏栓塞术对肝硬化门脉高压合并脾机能亢进的治疗价值。方法 :应用PVA颗粒 ,对 4 6例门脉高压肝硬化合并脾脏机能亢进的患者施行经脾动脉部分脾脏栓塞术 ,随访术后不同时间窗内疗效并对比研究了栓塞前后的门静脉和脾静脉血流速度的变化。结果 :4 6例患者成功施行了经脾动脉栓塞技术 ,达到了临床预期的治疗目标 ,消除了脾机能亢进的症状 ,无严重并发症发生 ,白细胞和血小板术后 2 4h即有明显改善 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,4周后恢复正常水平保持平稳。脾静脉和门静脉血流速度手术后明显降低 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,随访 6～ 2 1个月 ,脾机能亢进的症状未复发。结论 :部分脾脏栓塞术简便微创安全 ,治疗肝硬化门静脉高压合并脾机能亢进疗效好 ,值得临床推广应用。     

Transhepatic portal vein embolization: anatomy, indications, and technical considerations.

Portal vein embolization (PVE) is increasingly being accepted as a useful procedure in the preoperative treatment of patients selected for major hepatic resection. PVE is performed via either the percutaneous transhepatic or the transileocolic route and is usually reserved for patients whose future liver remnants are too small to allow resection. It is a safe and effective method for inducing selective hepatic hypertrophy of the nondiseased portion of the liver and may thereby reduce complications and shorten hospital stays after resection. A thorough knowledge of hepatic segmentation and portal venous anatomy is essential before performing PVE. In addition, the indications and contraindications for PVE, the methods for assessing hepatic lobar hypertrophy, the means of determining optimal timing of resection, and the possible complications of PVE need to be fully understood before undertaking the procedure. Technique may vary among operators, and further research is necessary to determine the best embolic agents available and the expected rates of liver regeneration for PVE. Nevertheless, as hepatobiliary surgeons become more experienced at performing extended hepatic resections, PVE may be requested more frequently.